DHS Reports Minnesota Duo Stole $21M in Autism Funds for Luxury Splurge

In this RedState article, Ward Clark covers federal allegations that two Minnesota women stole more than $21 million from taxpayer-funded autism services while authorities continue uncovering massive fraud in the state’s welfare and Medicaid systems.

• Shamso Ahmed Hassan, 55, and Hanaan Mursal Yusuf, 25, are accused of submitting fraudulent claims through Smart Therapy Center LLC and Star Autism Center LLC.
• The money allegedly came from Minnesota’s Early Intensive Development and Behavioral Intervention program, which is meant to fund autism services for individuals under 21.
• Federal officials say the alleged scheme ran from May 2020 through December 2024 and involved $21.2 million in claims.
• Prosecutors allege the money was used for personal enrichment, including property in Kenya and a truck.
• Hassan is also accused of inflating food-benefit claims, including assertions that Smart Therapy served hundreds — eventually 1,200 — meals per day, seven days a week.
• DHS said the defendants face charges including conspiracy to commit health care fraud, eight counts of health care fraud, and two counts of money laundering.
• The article frames the case as part of a broader Minnesota fraud scandal, noting that federal authorities have been pursuing tens of millions of dollars in allegedly fraudulent welfare and Medicaid claims.
• Clark emphasizes that the defendants are entitled to due process, while arguing that convictions should bring maximum penalties as a deterrent.
• The broader conservative takeaway is that taxpayer-funded programs without serious oversight become easy targets for organized abuse, especially when fraudsters believe enforcement is too weak or too slow.

Read the full story: https://redstate.com/wardclark/2026/05/28/dhs-reports-minnesota-duo-stole-21m-in-autism-funds-for-luxury-splurge-n2202817