Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced today that the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) of the Attorney General’s Office has charged five individuals in two separate investigations with defrauding the Medicaid program out of more than $10 million.
“Minnesotans who rely on Medical Assistance have a right to expect they’ll receive all the care, dignity, and respect they’re entitled to. Minnesotans trying to afford their lives have a right to expect that every one of their tax dollars will be spent properly and legally. People who commit Medicaid fraud violate both of those rights. My office and our partners continue to work aggressively to hold these and all offenders accountable — and we will keep doing so,” Attorney General Ellison said.
In the first set of cases, Attorney General Ellison charged three people with defrauding the Medicaid program out of more than $9 million. These cases are part of an investigation first announced in December 2023 when the Attorney General charged three individuals with bilking nearly $11 million from the Medicaid program in what is the largest case brought by the Minnesota MFCU.
The first two individuals, Abdifatah Yusuf and Lul Ahmed, allegedly defrauded the program through their agency, Promise Health Services, LLC. Promise claimed to provide home and community-based services but operated for years out of a mailbox without any office building. The co-conspirators allegedly obtained Medicaid funds by billing for services not provided or based on false documentation, overbilling, billing without documentation support, and providing kickbacks to recipients.
While Yusuf operated Promise, it allegedly stole more than $7.2 million. Investigators determined that Yusuf and Ahmed frequently used stolen money for personal expenses including directing over $1 million into Yusuf’s personal account and withdrawing over $387,000 in cash. They also spent substantial amounts at furniture stores despite lacking physical office space, luxury automotive dealers, and luxury clothing stores including Coach, Canada Goose, Michael Kors, Third Degree Heat, Nike, and Nordstrom.
Yusuf is charged in Hennepin County District Court with one count of racketeering and six counts of felony aiding and abetting theft by swindle. Ahmed faces two felony counts of aiding and abetting theft by swindle.
Attorney General Ellison also charged Abdiweli Mohamud with one count of racketeering and six counts of felony aiding and abetting theft by swindle. Mohamud owned Minnesota Home Health Care LLC but allowed Abdirashid Said—a federally excluded provider—to control it. Under Mohamud’s ownership Minnesota Home billed over $300,000 in undocumented or fraudulently documented personal care assistant services and over $200,000 for improperly supervised services.
This case resulted from a joint investigation by MFCU in the Office of Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison along with DHHS/OIG. Substantial assistance was provided by the Minnesota Commerce Fraud Bureau and Minnesota Department of Human Services’ Forensic Lab.
In another set of cases related to defrauding more than $1.4 million from Medicaid through non-emergency medical transportation company Driving Miss Daisy were Charles Omato and LaTonia Jackson who billed for transportation services not provided or based on impossible travel times documented by drivers.
This case is part of PITSTOP66 investigation involving multiple agencies including MFCU in Office AG Keith Ellison's office along with DHHS/OIG receiving assistance from FBI & MN DHS' Forensic Lab resulting previously announced sweeping charges against eight individuals associated within May 2024 prior convictions include therapists interpreters drivers among others additional charges expected as investigation continues
“Transportation & personal care services vital must protected against potential fraud waste abuse” said Special Agent Mario Pinto HHS-OIG values partnership continue investigate threats integrity federally funded health programs
Criminal complaint merely allegation defendants presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt court law
Minnesota MFCU receives 75% funding US Dept Health Human Services grant award totaling $3 854 024 Federal fiscal year FY 2023 remaining 25% totaling $1 284 670 FY23 funded State MN
Official Website Office MN AG Keith Ellison
445 MN Street Suite1400 St Paul MN55101
(651)296-3353 Twin Cities Calling Area (800)657-3787 Outside Twin Cities (800)627-3529 MN Relay
MN AG's Office values diversity equal opportunity employer
---