DOJ charges 'largest autism fraud' tied to $90M MN Medicaid theft
The Justice Department on Thursday announced criminal charges against 15 defendants accused of stealing more than $90 million from Minnesota Medicaid and other taxpayer-funded social service programs in what officials described as the “largest autism fraud scheme” ever uncovered by the department, with links to existing fraud cases involving the Somali community.
TL;DR
- 15 defendants charged with stealing over $90 million from Minnesota Medicaid and social service programs.
- The scheme is described as the largest autism fraud ever uncovered by the Justice Department.
- Allegations include fake diagnoses, kickbacks, fraudulent billing, and nonexistent care for vulnerable individuals.
- The fraud is linked to existing cases involving the Somali community, including the Feeding Our Future scheme.
- Two autism clinics, Smart Therapy and Star Autism, allegedly billed Medicaid over $46 million for unnecessary or undelivered services.
- Proceeds from the fraud were allegedly used for luxury goods and transferred overseas.
- Separate fraud charges were also announced involving Minnesota housing and disability programs.