Administrative Context
Minnesota Leadership Over Defrauded Programs
Factual record of officials who oversaw programs implicated in fraud investigations. None have been charged with criminal conduct related to these cases. The 2024 MN Legislative Auditor found agencies "ill-prepared" to manage pandemic funding and noted officials cited fears of racial discrimination lawsuits as reasons for delayed fraud prevention.
Gov. Tim Walz
Governor of Minnesota
Jan 2019 – present
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Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan
Lieutenant Governor
Jan 2019 – present
AG Keith Ellison
Attorney General
Jan 2019 – present
Rep. Ilhan Omar
U.S. House, MN-5
Jan 2019 – present
Julie Blaha
State Auditor
Jan 2019 – present*
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MN Dept. of Human Services Commissioners (2018–present)
Tony Lourey
DHS Commissioner
Jan–Jul 2019 (resigned)
Pam Wheelock
Acting Commissioner
Jul–Aug 2019
Jodi Harpstead
DHS Commissioner
Aug 2019 – Feb 2025
Shireen Gandhi
Temp. Commissioner
Feb–May 2025
John Connolly
Temp. Commissioner
May 2025 – present
Notes: MN Dept. of Education separately administered Feeding Our Future / Federal Child Nutrition Program funds. AG Ellison's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit has actively co-prosecuted many of these cases. *State Auditor Julie Blaha is an independently elected constitutional officer (DFL), not appointed by Gov. Walz — she took office the same month he did. The OSA audits local governments and state agencies receiving federal funds; the separate Office of the Legislative Auditor issued the 2024 report criticizing fraud oversight failures at MDE and DHS.
Convicted · Sentenced
Convicted or Pled Guilty — All Known Cases
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convicted at trial
Aimee Bock
CrimeWire fraud, conspiracy, bribery (7 cts)
ProgramFOF
Stolen~$242M
Sentence500 mo (41.7 yrs) · May 2026
Restitution$243M
Immigration StatusU.S. citizen (MN)
ProsecutorFederal
convicted at trial
Abdiaziz Shafii Farah
CrimeWire fraud, money laundering, bribery, passport fraud (23 cts)
ProgramFOF
Stolen$47.9M
Sentence28 yrs · Aug 2025
Restitution$47.9M
Immigration StatusNot publicly known
NotesOwner, Empire Cuisine & Market. Also pled guilty to juror bribery (sentencing TBD).
ProsecutorFederal
convicted at trial
Mukhtar Shariff
CrimeWire fraud, money laundering (4 cts)
ProgramFOF
Stolen$1.3M+ personal
Sentence210 mo (17.5 yrs) · Jan 2025
Restitution$47.9M
Immigration StatusNot publicly known
NotesCEO, Afrique Hospitality Group, Bloomington.
ProsecutorFederal
convicted at trial
Mohamed Jama Ismail
CrimeWire fraud, money laundering (3 cts)
ProgramFOF
Stolen$2.2M personal
Sentence144 mo (12 yrs) · Oct 2024
Restitution$47.9M
Immigration StatusNot publicly known
NotesCo-owner, Empire Cuisine. First FOF defendant sentenced. Also pled guilty to passport fraud.
ProsecutorFederal
convicted at trial
Abdimajid Mohamed Nur
CrimeWire fraud, money laundering (10 cts)
ProgramFOF
Stolen$900K+ personal
Sentence120 mo (10 yrs) · Nov 2025
Restitution$47.9M
Immigration StatusNot publicly known
NotesAge 24. Empire Cuisine group. Also pled guilty to juror bribery (pending).
ProsecutorFederal
convicted at trial
Salim Said
CrimeWire fraud, conspiracy, bribery (all cts)
ProgramFOF
Stolen$250M scheme
SentencePending (convicted Mar 2025)
Immigration StatusNot publicly known
NotesSafari Restaurant. Co-defendant with Bock. Assets forfeited: vehicles, Rolex, designer goods.
ProsecutorFederal
guilty plea
Sharon Ross
CrimeWire fraud
ProgramFOF
Stolen$2.4M
Sentence3.5 yrs · Feb 2025
Restitution$2.4M
Immigration StatusNot publicly known
NotesAge 58. Exec director, House of Refuge food shelf, St. Paul. Spent fraud on vacations & Timberwolves suite.
ProsecutorFederal
guilty plea
Sahra Nur
CrimeWire fraud, money laundering
ProgramFOF
Stolen$5M
Sentence4 yrs 3 mo · May 2025
Restitution$5M
Immigration StatusNot publicly known
NotesAge 63. Operated Academy for Youth Excellence & co-owned S&S Catering.
ProsecutorFederal
guilty plea
Sharmake Jama
CrimeWire fraud, money laundering
ProgramFOF
Stolen$5.3M
Sentence16 mo · May 2026
Restitution$5.3M
Immigration StatusNot publicly known
NotesBrava Restaurant, Rochester. Cooperating witness at Bock trial. Sentence reduced for cooperation.
ProsecutorFederal
guilty plea
Filsan Mumin Hassan
CrimeWire fraud, money laundering
ProgramFOF
Stolen$2.5M+
Sentence3 yrs · May 2026
Restitution$361K
Immigration StatusNot publicly known
NotesBrooklyn Park. Youth for Higher Educational Achievement. Multiple drug test violations during pretrial release.
ProsecutorFederal
guilty plea
Abdullahe Nur Jesow
CrimeWire fraud (money laundering)
ProgramFOF
Stolen$4.3M (group)
Sentence3.5 yrs · Apr 2026
Restitution$866K
Immigration StatusNot publicly known
NotesAcademy for Youth Excellence. S&S Catering group. 56th FOF guilty plea.
ProsecutorFederal
guilty plea
Zamzam Jama
CrimeWire fraud, money laundering
ProgramFOF
Stolen$491K personal
Sentence6 mo · Apr 2026
Immigration StatusNot publicly known
NotesBrava Restaurant group. Deposited ~$2M into shell companies. Purchased Toyota RAV4 with fraud proceeds.
ProsecutorFederal
guilty plea
Yusuf Bashir Ali
CrimeConspiracy to commit wire fraud
ProgramFOF
Stolen$280K personal
Sentence18 mo · Apr 2026
Immigration StatusNot publicly known
NotesYouth Inventors Lab. Signed fake lease; site claimed 1.3M meals, received $3M.
ProsecutorFederal
guilty plea
Abdul Abubakar Ali
CrimeConspiracy to commit wire fraud
ProgramFOF
Stolen$3M (group)
Sentence12 mo · Mar 2026
Immigration StatusNot publicly known
NotesYouth Inventors Lab. Never served a single meal. Claimed 1.3M meals.
ProsecutorFederal
guilty plea
Bekam Merdassa
CrimeWire fraud
ProgramFOF
Stolen$3M (group)
Sentence2 yrs probation · Apr 2026
Restitution$343K
Immigration StatusNot publicly known
NotesYouth Inventors Lab. Early cooperator; avoided prison due to cooperation.
ProsecutorFederal
guilty plea
Mulata Ali
CrimeAiding & abetting theft of public money
ProgramFOF
Stolen$95K personal
Sentence1 yr probation · Apr 2026
Restitution$95K
Immigration StatusNot publicly known
NotesFranklyn Transportation LLC. Allowed bank account to launder $2M+. Paid $95K for access.
ProsecutorFederal
guilty plea
Khadar Adan
CrimeTheft of govt property (misdemeanor)
ProgramFOF
Stolen$1,000
Sentence1 yr probation · Apr 2026
Restitution$1,000
Immigration StatusNot publicly known
NotesAge 62. JigJiga Business Center, Minneapolis. Allowed fraudulent food site to operate. Received $1,000.
ProsecutorFederal
guilty plea
Abdulkarim Shafii Farah
CrimeConspiracy — jury tampering/obstruction
ProgramFOF — juror bribery
Bribe$120K cash
Sentence57 mo · Mar 2026
Immigration StatusNot publicly known
NotesBrother of Abdiaziz Farah. Delivered $120K cash to Juror 52's home. Deleted Signal messages after bribe disclosed.
ProsecutorFederal
guilty plea
Asha Farhan Hassan
CrimeWire fraud (EIDBI autism + FOF)
ProgramEIDBI FOF
Stolen~$14M autism + $465K FOF
SentencePending sentencing
Immigration StatusNot publicly known
NotesOwner, Smart Therapy LLC. First EIDBI autism defendant charged. Pled guilty Sept 24, 2025 before Judge Doty.
ProsecutorJoint Federal + MN AG MFCU
guilty plea
Gandi Abdi Kediye
a/k/a Gandi Yusuf Mohamed
CrimeMoney laundering (conspiracy)
ProgramFOF
Stolen$12M (group)
SentencePending (65th FOF conviction)
Immigration StatusNot publicly known
NotesChanged name before indictment. GAK Properties LLC owns 5+ group homes still operating in Twin Cities.
ProsecutorFederal
guilty plea
Ikram Yusuf Mohamed
CrimeWire fraud
ProgramFOF
Stolen$14.6M (group)
SentencePending (pled Mar 2026)
Immigration StatusNot publicly known
NotesFOF consultant. Led family group that stole $14.6M. Part of 5-person guilty plea wave, Mar 2026.
ProsecutorFederal
guilty plea
Aisha Hassan Hussein
CrimeWire fraud
ProgramFOF
Stolen$14.6M (group)
SentencePending (pled Mar 2026)
Immigration StatusNot publicly known
NotesPart of Ikram Mohamed family group. 5-person plea wave, Mar 2026.
ProsecutorFederal
guilty plea
Sahra Sharif Osman
CrimeWire fraud
ProgramFOF
Stolen$14.6M (group)
SentencePending (pled Mar 2026)
Immigration StatusNot publicly known
NotesPart of Ikram Mohamed family group. 5-person plea wave, Mar 2026.
ProsecutorFederal
guilty plea
Shakur Abdinur Abdisalam
CrimeWire fraud
ProgramFOF
Stolen$14.6M (group)
SentencePending (pled Mar 2026)
Immigration StatusNot publicly known
NotesPart of Ikram Mohamed group. 5-person plea wave, Mar 2026.
ProsecutorFederal
guilty plea
Fadumo Mohamed Yusuf
CrimeWire fraud
ProgramFOF
Stolen$14.6M (group)
SentencePending (pled Mar 2026)
Immigration StatusNot publicly known
NotesPart of Ikram Mohamed group. 5-person plea wave, Mar 2026.
ProsecutorFederal
convicted
Latasha Thomas
CrimeMail fraud (SNAP benefits scheme)
ProgramSNAP
Stolen$325K+
Sentence1 yr prison · Feb 2026
Restitution$325K (USDA)
Immigration StatusU.S. citizen
NotesAge 39. Conspired with daughter Ambrosia Thomas and relative Cynthia Thomas. Created fake MN driver's licenses to obtain EBT cards over 2 years. (Co-defendants separately charged.)
ProsecutorFederal — U.S. Attorney Rosen
guilty plea
Cynthia Thomas
CrimeMail fraud conspiracy (SNAP benefits)
ProgramSNAP
Stolen$325K (group)
Sentence3 yrs probation · Dec 2025
Immigration StatusU.S. citizen
NotesRelative of Latasha Thomas. Part of 3-person SNAP fraud ring using fake identities and pregnancy claims.
ProsecutorFederal
As of May 2026, 66+ total defendants have been convicted or pled guilty across FOF and related programs. This tracker lists all publicly named sentenced defendants and major guilty pleas with DOJ/IRS-CI documentation. Dozens of additional FOF guilty pleas (50+ more) are on record; full data at justice.gov/usao-mn.
Charged — Not Convicted
Charged but Not Yet Convicted
Presumption of innocence: All persons below are presumed innocent until proven guilty. These are allegations based on federal indictments and criminal complaints entered as public record.
charged — not convicted
Abdinajib Hassan Yussuf
Charged withHealth care fraud, wire fraud (EIDBI)
ProgramEIDBI Autism
Alleged$46.6M (scheme)
Immigration StatusNot publicly known
NotesStar Autism Center LLC. Co-defendant with Asha Hassan. Charged Dec 18, 2025.
ProsecutorJoint Federal + MN AG MFCU
charged — not convicted
Moktar Hassan Aden
Charged withWire fraud (Housing Stabilization)
ProgramHSS
Alleged$8.4M (group)
Immigration StatusNot publicly known
NotesAge 30. Brilliant Minds Services LLC, St. Paul. Charged Sept 18, 2025 (first HSS wave).
ProsecutorFederal
charged — not convicted
Mustafa Dayib Ali
Charged withWire fraud (HSS)
ProgramHSS
Alleged$8.4M (group)
Immigration StatusNot publicly known
NotesAge 29. Brilliant Minds Services LLC. Charged Sept 18, 2025.
ProsecutorFederal
charged — not convicted
Khalid Ahmed Dayib
Charged withWire fraud (HSS)
ProgramHSS
Alleged$8.4M (group)
Immigration StatusNot publicly known
NotesAge 26. Brilliant Minds LLC. Charged Sept 18, 2025. Leo Human Services LLC affiliate.
ProsecutorFederal
charged — not convicted
Abdifitah Mohamud Mohamed
Charged withWire fraud (HSS)
ProgramHSS
Alleged$8.4M (group)
Immigration StatusNot publicly known
NotesAge 27. Brilliant Minds LLC. Charged Sept 18, 2025. Griggs-Midway Building, St. Paul.
ProsecutorFederal
charged — not convicted
Christopher Adesoji Falade
Charged withWire fraud (HSS)
ProgramHSS
AllegedPart of $8.4M (Faladcare)
Immigration StatusNot publicly known
NotesAge 62. Faladcare LLC. Father of Emmanuel Falade. Charged Sept 18, 2025.
ProsecutorFederal
charged — not convicted
Emmanuel Oluwademilade Falade
Charged withWire fraud (HSS)
ProgramHSS
AllegedPart of $8.4M (Faladcare)
Immigration StatusNot publicly known
NotesAge 32. Faladcare LLC. Son of Christopher Falade. Charged Sept 18, 2025.
ProsecutorFederal
charged — not convicted
Asad Ahmed Adow
Charged withWire fraud (HSS)
ProgramHSS
AllegedPart of $8.4M (Liberty Plus)
Immigration StatusNot publicly known
NotesAge 26. Liberty Plus LLC. Targeted rehab facility residents. Charged Sept 18, 2025.
ProsecutorFederal
charged — not convicted
Anwar Ahmed Adow
Charged withWire fraud (HSS)
ProgramHSS
AllegedPart of $8.4M (Liberty Plus)
Immigration StatusNot publicly known
NotesAge 25. Liberty Plus LLC. Brother of Asad Adow. Charged Sept 18, 2025.
ProsecutorFederal
charged — not convicted
Mohamed Abdirashid Omarxeyd
Charged with8 cts felony theft by false representation (Medicaid/home health)
ProgramHome Health
Alleged$3M+
Immigration StatusNot publicly known
NotesOwner, Guardian Home Health Services, Minneapolis. Billed for services never provided 2020–2024. Charged Jan 15, 2026.
ProsecutorState — MN AG Ellison
charged — not convicted
Abdirashid Bixi Dool
Charged withWire fraud, money laundering (FOF)
ProgramFOF
Alleged$1.1M
Immigration StatusNot publicly known
Notes78th and most recently charged FOF defendant. Claimed 40,000 meals/wk. Charged Nov 2025.
ProsecutorFederal
guilty plea — pending
Ambrosia Thomas
Charged withMail fraud (SNAP benefits scheme)
ProgramSNAP
Alleged$325K (group)
Immigration StatusU.S. citizen
NotesDaughter of Latasha Thomas. Agreed to plead guilty. Pre-sentencing process ongoing as of early 2026.
ProsecutorFederal
▼ Minnesota Health Care Fraud Takedown — May 21, 2026 · 15 defendants · $90M+ alleged · All charged, not yet convicted
charged — not convicted
Shamso Ahmed Hassan
Charged withConspiracy to commit health care fraud, health care fraud, conspiracy to defraud U.S., false statements, money laundering
ProgramEIDBI Autism
Alleged$46.6M scheme / $21.2M paid
Immigration StatusNot publicly known
NotesAge 55. Alleged undisclosed owner of Smart Therapy Center & Star Autism Center. Largest Medicaid autism fraud case ever charged by DOJ nationally.
ProsecutorJoint Federal + MN AG MFCU
charged — not convicted
Hanaan Mursal Yusuf
Charged withConspiracy to commit health care fraud, health care fraud, conspiracy to defraud U.S., false statements, money laundering
ProgramEIDBI Autism
Alleged$46.6M scheme / $21.2M paid
Immigration StatusNot publicly known
NotesAge 25. Alleged EIDBI provider at Smart Therapy Center & Star Autism Center. Co-defendant with Shamso Hassan.
ProsecutorJoint Federal + MN AG MFCU
charged — not convicted
Ahmed Othman Kadar
Charged with3 cts health care fraud, 2 cts money laundering
ProgramICS
Alleged$1.4M
Immigration StatusNot publicly known
NotesAge 22, Rosemount. Ultimate Home Health LLC. First-ever ICS criminal prosecution. Billed for a recipient the day before they were found deceased. Allegedly left residents without heat.
ProsecutorFederal
charged — not convicted
Charles Wayne Healey
Charged withWire fraud, money laundering
ProgramIHS
Alleged$22.7M
Immigration StatusU.S. citizen
NotesAge 61, Blue Earth, MN. Healey Homes. First-ever IHS prosecution. Allegedly owned 20+ residences and concealed interest from Medicaid; offered below-market rent to obtain beneficiary info for billing.
ProsecutorFederal
charged — not convicted
Katherin Suzan Larsen-Guthmiller
Charged withWire fraud, money laundering
ProgramIHS
Alleged$22.7M (w/ Healey)
Immigration StatusU.S. citizen
NotesAge 66, Blue Earth, MN. Co-defendant with Charles Healey in Healey Homes IHS scheme. Proceeds used to buy more real estate, luxury vehicles, and jewelry.
ProsecutorFederal
charged — not convicted
Deborah Hodges
Charged withWire fraud / HSS fraud
ProgramHSS
Alleged$5.3M submitted / $5.2M paid
Immigration StatusU.S. citizen
NotesAge 59. House of Heroes, Inc. Billed for in-person HSS services while recipients were in inpatient treatment facilities.
ProsecutorFederal
charged — not convicted
Sharmaine Meadows
Charged withWire fraud / HSS fraud
ProgramHSS
Alleged$4.3M submitted / $3.7M paid
Immigration StatusU.S. citizen
NotesAge 45. Owner, Cradle of Love, LLC. Directed employees to bill maximum hours regardless of services actually rendered.
ProsecutorFederal
charged — not convicted
Muhammad Abdulqadir Omar
Charged withWire fraud / HSS fraud
ProgramHSS
Alleged$3.3M (w/ Abdi)
Immigration StatusNot publicly known
NotesAge 32. North Home Health Care LLC & South Home Health Care LLC. Falsified records to support claims for services not provided. Co-defendant with Ibrahim Abdi.
ProsecutorFederal
charged — not convicted
Ibrahim Bashir Abdi
Charged withWire fraud / HSS fraud
ProgramHSS
Alleged$3.3M (w/ Omar)
Immigration StatusNot publicly known
NotesAge 25. North Home Health Care LLC & South Home Health Care LLC. Co-defendant with Muhammad Omar.
ProsecutorFederal
charged — not convicted
Cynthia Allen
Charged withWire fraud / HSS fraud
ProgramHSS
Alleged$3.5M+ (w/ Langley)
Immigration StatusU.S. citizen (PA resident)
NotesAge 62. Pennsylvania resident who traveled to MN to commit HSS fraud — DOJ called it "fraud tourism." Allegedly inflated hours and falsified documentation.
ProsecutorFederal
charged — not convicted
Candice Langley
Charged withWire fraud / HSS fraud
ProgramHSS
Alleged$3.5M+ (w/ Allen)
Immigration StatusU.S. citizen (PA resident)
NotesAge 46. Pennsylvania resident. "Fraud tourism" — traveled to MN to exploit low-barrier HSS program. Co-defendant with Cynthia Allen.
ProsecutorFederal
charged — not convicted
Mustafa Dayib
Charged withWire fraud / HSS fraud
ProgramHSS
Alleged$975K (w/ Ibrahim)
Immigration StatusNot publicly known
NotesAge 22. Vitality Health Services LLC. Co-defendant with Abdulbasit Ibrahim.
ProsecutorFederal
charged — not convicted
Abdulbasit Ibrahim
Charged withWire fraud / HSS fraud
ProgramHSS
Alleged$975K (w/ Dayib)
Immigration StatusNot publicly known
NotesAge 22. Vitality Health Services LLC. Co-defendant with Mustafa Dayib.
ProsecutorFederal
charged — not convicted
Jillaine Ann Mertens
Charged withWire fraud
ProgramGSCSPP Childcare
Alleged$425K
Immigration StatusU.S. citizen
NotesAge 42. Owner of three childcare centers. Submitted false Great Start Compensation Support Payment Program claims for employees who did not actually work at the facilities.
ProsecutorFederal
charged — not convicted
Fahima Mahamud
Charged withWire fraud, conspiracy to defraud the U.S.
ProgramCCAP FOF
Alleged$5.48M total
Immigration StatusNot publicly known
NotesAge 50. Submitted inflated claims through Feeding Our Future and obtained Child Care Assistance Program reimbursements while falsely certifying required co-payments were collected.
ProsecutorFederal
By Program
Fraud Charges by Program
Cumulative charged across all programs (publicly documented cases)
~$426.6M+
Figures reflect fraud amounts cited in federal charging documents and DOJ press releases. The U.S. Attorney's office estimated in Dec 2025 that total suspected MN Medicaid fraud across all 14+ programs may reach into the billions. HSS/IHS figure combines the Sept 2025 ($8.4M) and May 2026 ($22.7M IHS + $15.7M HSS) waves.