URGENT UPDATE: The owner of a St. Cloud autism treatment center has been charged with federal wire fraud, accused of defrauding a Minnesota health care program out of $6 million. Abdinajib Hassan Yussuf, 27, president and CEO of Star Autism Center, was implicated in a scheme that involved submitting inflated claims for Medicaid reimbursements.
New details emerged during a news conference held by the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Thursday, December 18, 2024, in Minneapolis, revealing that FBI agents raided the Star Autism Center in December 2024. The allegations suggest Yussuf and his partners targeted families in the Somali community, recruiting children for services without proper diagnoses or necessary qualifications.
According to authorities, Yussuf’s center employed untrained individuals, typically teenagers, to provide services under the Early Intensive Development and Behavioral Intervention program, which is intended to assist those under 21 with autism spectrum disorder. The fraudulent practices included submitting claims for services not rendered and billing without the knowledge of the service providers.
Yussuf allegedly shared the $6 million generated from these fraudulent activities with other owners and investors of Star Autism. In a shocking development, authorities reported that Yussuf misappropriated over $100,000 to purchase a semi-truck and transferred an additional $200,000 to Kenya.
The fallout from this investigation extends beyond Yussuf. Five other individuals have also been charged federally with defrauding government programs, including autism services and Housing Stabilization Services. In total, 13 individuals face charges related to the housing program fraud.
This developing story highlights critical concerns regarding the exploitation of vulnerable communities and the integrity of publicly funded healthcare services. As investigations continue, the impact on families seeking legitimate autism services remains significant.
Authorities urge anyone with information related to this case to come forward, as they work to ensure accountability and restore trust in these essential programs. Stay tuned for further updates on this urgent investigation.
