Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the indictment of two Minnesota residents accused of orchestrating what officials are calling the largest autism fraud bust in American history.
Details of the Indictment
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) charged 55-year-old Shamso Ahmed Hassan and 25-year-old Hanaan Mursal Yusuf with multiple counts of fraud and related crimes for allegedly defrauding Minnesota Medicaid’s Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention (EIDBI) Program of $46.6 million.
The case is part of a wider enforcement action by the DOJ’s National Fraud Enforcement Division, which charged 15 alleged fraudsters across Minnesota for schemes targeting over $90 million in taxpayer funds.
“Today’s arrests represent the largest autism fraud bust in American history. This was not a paperwork error. It was organized theft that exploited the most vulnerable children, deceived families, and stole taxpayer dollars meant to provide legitimate care,” Kennedy Jr. said during a news conference.
Alleged Scheme
Hassan was a shareholder in two autism centers — Smart Therapy Center and Star Autism Center — but reportedly failed to disclose her ownership to the Minnesota Department of Human Services, as required by law. Yusuf worked at Smart Therapy Center, helping to operate the business and submit Medicaid reimbursement claims.
According to the indictment, the defendants allegedly paid kickbacks to families to send their children to these centers, allowing Hassan and Yusuf to bill Medicaid for autism-related services that were either never provided or were not reimbursable.
Of the $46.6 million submitted for reimbursement, $21.6 million was paid out. The DOJ is seeking restitution for this amount.
Diversion of Funds
The indictment alleges that the defendants diverted hundreds of thousands of dollars for personal use, including real estate purchases and transferring money overseas to Kenya.
Charges Filed
Both Hassan and Yusuf were charged with one count of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud and one count of money laundering. Additionally, Yusuf faces five counts of healthcare fraud, while Hassan faces two.
Impact on Families and Children
Kennedy Jr. emphasised the human cost of the fraud:
“Every fraudulent autism diagnosis steals time, care, and resources from the children the program was designed to help. Families with autistic children already face enormous challenges navigating therapies and support systems. Fraud makes those barriers even steeper.”
