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Star Autism Center Owner Pleads Guilty to Medicaid Fraud

3/4/2026

40 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

On March 3, 2026, Abdinajib Yussuf, owner of Star Autism Center in St. Cloud, Minnesota, pleaded guilty to wire fraud in a case tied to a broader Medicaid-fraud investigation.
He recruited Somali community parents by offering cash kickbacks to enroll children without autism diagnoses.
The Minnesota Department of Human Services suspended the center’s license, closing it.
Proceeds funded a Freightliner truck purchase and a transfer of funds to Kenya.

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Story summary

On March 3, 2026, Abdinajib Yussuf, owner of Star Autism Center in St. Cloud, Minnesota, pleaded guilty to wire fraud in a case tied to a broader Medicaid-fraud investigation.
He recruited Somali community parents by offering cash kickbacks to enroll children without autism diagnoses.
The Minnesota Department of Human Services suspended the center’s license, closing it.
Proceeds funded a Freightliner truck purchase and a transfer of funds to Kenya.