Massive Somali autism welfare scam uncovered in Minnesota; FBI raids underway.

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A massive Somali autism welfare scam has exploded in Minnesota, capturing national attention as the FBI conducts raids amid accusations of Medicaid fraud. Over the last five years, autism providers in the state surged by a staggering 700%, jumping from 41 to 328. This spike in providers has been mirrored by a shocking rise in autism spending, soaring from $6 million to $192 million during the same period.

The FBI’s investigation has uncovered disturbing evidence of fraudulent claims for Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention (EIDBI) services, many of which were either never provided or never eligible for coverage. One of the most glaring examples is the Smart Therapy Center in Minneapolis, which allegedly received $13.8 million in Medicaid reimbursements for services that may never have been delivered. Eyewitnesses report that many children receiving services at these centers didn’t appear to be autistic, raising serious questions about the entire operation’s legitimacy.

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Even more troubling, Somalis in Minnesota are reportedly seven times more likely to receive autism services compared to other groups. This disparity has sparked outrage over the fairness and distribution of autism services in the state. The FBI’s investigation into this scandal is part of a broader probe that has already uncovered a massive $250 million fraud scheme involving child nutrition programs during the pandemic.

This scandal undermines public trust in the healthcare system, siphoning resources away from those who truly need help. The Minnesota Department of Human Services has launched its own investigation and is now scrutinizing multiple autism treatment providers. This fraudulent activity has far-reaching consequences that threaten to disrupt healthcare for vulnerable children in the state.

In a historical context, this scandal closely mirrors the Feeding Our Future case, where a $250 million fraud scheme defrauded federal child nutrition programs. The rapid expansion of autism providers and the corresponding increase in funding raised serious alarms, prompting the FBI to take swift action.

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The stakes are incredibly high. The fallout from this scandal will undoubtedly be significant, further shaking public faith in the healthcare system. Accurate reporting and stricter oversight are now more crucial than ever to prevent such fraud in the future. The Minnesota community, particularly the Somali American community, is on edge as the investigation unfolds, bracing for what comes next.

Sources:

https://www.kare11.com/article/news/local/two-minnesota-autism-centers-raided-fbi-as-part-of-wider-fraud-investigation/89-459105aa-bff5-4213-9d2d-0c14eb49ca36

https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-somali-community-on-edge-over-fbi-allegations/600155683

https://www.sahanjournal.com/news/autism-center-raid-minneapolis-st-cloud-feeding-our-future/

https://www.twincities.com/2024/12/12/fbi-raids-autism-service-providers-amid-medicaid-fraud-investigation-in-minnesota/


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