Minnesota Woman Shamso Ahmed Hassan Charged in $21 Million Autism Medicaid Fraud Scheme

Federal prosecutors charged 55-year-old Shamso Ahmed Hassan of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, with conspiracy to commit health care fraud and money laundering in connection with a $46.6 million scheme that defrauded Minnesota Medicaid’s autism services program.

The Scheme

According to the indictment, Hassan and co-defendant Hanaan Mursal Yusuf operated Smart Therapy Center and Star Autism Center. They allegedly billed Minnesota Medicaid’s Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention (EIDBI) Program for services that were never provided or were not eligible for reimbursement.

The pair reportedly paid kickbacks ranging from $300 to $1,500 per month to families to enroll children in their programs, regardless of medical necessity. Between May 2020 and December 2024, the centers billed Medicaid for $46.6 million and received approximately $21.2 million in payments.

Ownership Concealed

Hassan allegedly failed to disclose her ownership interests in the two autism centers to the Minnesota Department of Human Services as required. Funds from the scheme were used to purchase property and were sent overseas, including to Kenya, according to prosecutors.

Not Guilty Plea

Hassan pleaded not guilty to the charges in late May. She faces multiple counts of health care fraud, conspiracy, and money laundering. The case is part of a larger federal crackdown that has charged 15 individuals in Minnesota Medicaid fraud schemes totaling over $90 million in losses.

Broader Investigation

The charges come amid growing scrutiny of Minnesota’s oversight of Medicaid-funded programs, with federal and state investigators continuing to examine multiple providers in the autism services sector.