Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced federal charges against two Minnesota defendants in what officials described as the largest autism fraud case in U.S. history.
The Justice Department indicted Shamso Ahmed Hassan, 55, and Hanaan Mursal Yusuf, 25, on multiple fraud-related charges tied to an alleged $46.6 million scheme targeting Minnesota Medicaid’s Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention program.
The case was part of a broader federal enforcement action involving 15 defendants accused of schemes that targeted more than $90 million in taxpayer funds.
During a Friday news conference, Kennedy said the case was not a paperwork mistake or technical violation, but an organized fraud scheme that exploited children with autism, deceived families and stole taxpayer money meant for legitimate care.
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Prosecutors said Hassan was a shareholder in two autism centers, Smart Therapy Center and Star Autism Center, but allegedly failed to disclose her ownership to the Minnesota Department of Human Services as required.
Yusuf allegedly worked at Smart Therapy Center and helped operate the business, including submitting Medicaid reimbursement claims.
According to the indictment, the defendants paid kickbacks to families to encourage them to send their children to the centers. Prosecutors said the businesses then billed Medicaid for autism-related services that were either never provided or not eligible for reimbursement.
Of the $46.6 million submitted for reimbursement, about $21.6 million was paid out, according to the indictment. The Justice Department is seeking restitution for that money.
Federal officials also alleged that the defendants diverted hundreds of thousands of dollars from the scheme for personal use, including real estate purchases and overseas transfers, including to Kenya.
The indictment comes as federal authorities continue cracking down on healthcare and Medicaid fraud schemes in Minnesota and other states.
RFK Jr. just dropped the LARGEST autism fraud bust in US history — and it’s MASSIVE!
From $38 MILLION in 2020 to $442 MILLION this year in Minnesota’s Early Intervention program.
RFK Jr. called it straight: “This was organized theft that exploited the most vulnerable children… pic.twitter.com/MhogsIBMfe
— Wiki Leaks 1.0 (@WikiLeaksQ) May 22, 2026
