In a significant development, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has announced the indictment of two individuals in Minnesota involved in what is being called the largest autism fraud bust in American history. The U.S. Department of Justice has charged Shamso Ahmed Hassan, 55, and Hanaan Mursal Yusuf, 25, with multiple counts of fraud and related offenses in connection with a $46.6 million scheme targeting Minnesota Medicaid’s Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention (EIDBI) Program.
Details of the Fraud Scheme
The indictment is part of a broader enforcement action by the DOJ’s National Fraud Enforcement Division, which has led to charges against 15 individuals accused of defrauding over $90 million in taxpayer funds. According to the indictment, Hassan, a shareholder in two autism centers—Smart Therapy Center and Star Autism Center—failed to disclose her ownership to the Minnesota Department of Human Services, a legal requirement. Yusuf, who worked at the Smart Therapy Center, allegedly submitted fraudulent Medicaid reimbursement claims.
The pair is accused of paying kickbacks to families to encourage them to use their centers, allowing them to bill Medicaid for services that were either not provided or not eligible for reimbursement. Of the $46.6 million claimed, $21.6 million was paid out, and the DOJ is now seeking restitution for these funds.
Impact on Families and Autism Care
Secretary Kennedy emphasized the detrimental impact of such fraud on families with autistic children, who already face significant challenges in accessing necessary therapies and support. “Every fraudulent autism diagnosis steals time, care, and resources from the children for whom this program was designed,” Kennedy stated, highlighting the exploitation of vulnerable children and the misappropriation of funds meant to support legitimate care.
The indictment also reveals that the defendants allegedly diverted substantial amounts of the fraud proceeds for personal use, including real estate purchases and overseas fund transfers, notably to Kenya. Both Hassan and Yusuf face serious charges, including conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud and money laundering, with additional healthcare fraud charges specific to each defendant.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
