DOJ charges 2 women of Somali ancestry with $21 MILLION Minnesota autism fraud scheme, sending taxpayer funds to Kenya

Federal authorities have arrested two Minnesota women accused of orchestrating a years-long Medicaid fraud operation that allegedly siphoned more than $21 million from taxpayers through Minnesota’s autism treatment program.

According to federal prosecutors, Shamso Ahmed Hassan, 55, and Hanaan Mursal Yusuf, 25, both of Somali ancestory, were indicted on multiple charges tied to what investigators describe as a large-scale scheme involving fraudulent Medicaid billing through two autism treatment centers. The DOJ has said that some of the funds siphoned off were sent to Kenya. 

The indictment alleges the pair submitted false reimbursement claims through Minnesota’s Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention (EIDBI) Program between May 2020 and December 2024. Prosecutors say the fraud scheme involved approximately $46.6 million in claims submitted to Medicaid, with roughly $21.2 million ultimately paid out. Hassan was identified as a beneficial owner of Smart Therapy Center LLC and Star Autism Center LLC, though prosecutors allege she failed to disclose those ownership interests to the Minnesota Department of Human Services as required by law. Yusuf allegedly worked as a Level II EIDBI provider and participated in operating Smart Therapy Center, including the submission of Medicaid reimbursement claims.

Federal investigators allege the centers billed Medicaid for services that either never occurred or were not eligible for reimbursement under program rules. Prosecutors also claim the defendants paid kickbacks to families in exchange for enrolling children at the autism centers, allowing the businesses to continue billing Medicaid in the children’s names.

The women face charges including conspiracy to commit health care fraud, EIGHT counts of health care fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States, false statements related to health care matters, and TWO counts of money laundering.

“These Minnesota residents have been accused of stealing more than $21 million from the American taxpayer,” said Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis. “They now face charges of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, EIGHT counts of health care fraud, and TWO counts of money laundering. Their Medicaid fraud scheme started during the COVID pandemic and lasted for four years. ICE continues to zero in on the rampant fraud in Minnesota. Under Secretary Mullin, we will end the defrauding of the American people.”

The Department of Homeland Security said US Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) assisted in the case alongside the FBI, which is leading the investigation.
Authorities confirmed both women are US citizens, though DHS noted Hassan became a citizen through naturalization.

Both suspects remain in federal custody pending further judicial proceedings.