Three Minnesotans charged in state's "largest ever Medicaid fraud prosecution"

(St. Paul, MN) -- The Minnesota Attorney General's Office is charging three people with stealing millions of dollars from Medicaid.  

Attorney General Keith Ellison announced yesterday that the three defendants; Abdirashid Ismail Said, Ali Abdirizak Ahmed and Said Awil Ibrahim, used personal care assistant businesses to defraud the program of nearly $11 million.  Investigators say the defendants routinely overbilled for services performed and submitted invoices for services that were never given.  The Attorney General's Office is calling the largest-ever Medicaid fraud prosecution in state history.

The Attorney General's Office claims businesses used in the alleged fraud include Faym Health, Prestige Health, and Minnesota Home Health Care.

“Minnesotans who receive Medical Assistance have a right to expect that they’ll receive all the care, dignity, and respect they’re entitled to. Minnesotans trying to afford their lives have a right to expect that every one of their tax dollars will be put to use properly. People who commit Medicaid fraud violate both of those rights. My office is working aggressively to hold them accountable and will keep doing so,” Attorney General Ellison said.

Four others were charged in this case previously, with additional charges against others associated with other agencies.