Federal Raids Target Minnesota Autism Centers Over Medicaid Billing

Federal agents raided 22 locations in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, as part of an ongoing investigation into fraud within Minnesota’s public programs, including those serving individuals with autism. The raids targeted autism service providers that receive payments through Medicaid, according to a statement from the Minnesota Department of Human Services.

Governor Tim Walz stated, “If you commit fraud in Minnesota you’re going to get caught — and that’s exactly what we saw today.” He emphasized the importance of collaboration between state and federal agencies in securing justice, according to a statement released Tuesday.

The investigation builds on earlier reporting from the Minnesota Reformer, which first reported in 2024 that the FBI was investigating autism centers and that individuals involved in the Feeding Our Future scandal – a case involving the defrauding of a pandemic-era nutrition program to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars – had connections to these centers.

Shared Ownership and Previous Findings

The federal raids are renewing questions about shared ownership of multiple businesses billing Medicaid, a pattern previously identified by 5 Investigates. Public records indicate that some of the companies under investigation are connected through shared ownership, a potential red flag for fraud, according to federal prosecutors.

One of the autism centers searched, Aspen Associates, was identified in a 5 Investigates report. Business filings with the Minnesota Secretary of State and federal health care enrollment documents list Feisal Elmi as the company’s president and manager. Records also identify Elmi as the manager and owner of House of Opportunity, another Medicaid-billing company licensed by the Minnesota Department of Human Services to provide in-home support.

Both Aspen Associates and House of Opportunity share a physical location, with signs for both businesses posted outside Suite 155. Individuals inside the office on Wednesday declined to answer questions about Elmi or the businesses, stating, “There’s a lot of people that are in charge.” Elmi did not respond to multiple calls or texts.

Increased Scrutiny of Medicaid Programs

Since September, federal prosecutors have charged at least one person in connection with the investigation into autism service providers. In response, the state has designated 14 Medicaid programs, including Early Intensive Developmental Behavioral Intervention (EIDBI), the program for autism services, as “high risk.” This designation has led to the implementation of new checks on providers.

Despite the increased scrutiny, providers and advocates argue that the rising costs of these programs – which have doubled in the past five years – are due to legitimate efforts to provide community-based care and keep individuals with disabilities out of institutions.

Political Fallout

The investigation has drawn criticism from Republicans, who have accused Governor Walz and Minnesota Democrats of failing to prevent the fraud. The federal government has also taken steps to target Somali immigrants, with many of those charged in the fraud investigations being of Somali descent, including sending thousands of immigration agents to the state and speeding up deportation proceedings.