Minnesota Fraud: $11M Theft Suspect Misses Court, Location Unknown

Abdirashid Ismail Said, 50, failed to appear for a scheduled Hennepin County court date on April 8. He forfeited a $150,000 bond after missing the hearing. Authorities have issued a warrant and say his current location is unknown.

Charges and alleged scheme

Said faces charges in what state officials call the largest Medicaid fraud prosecuted by the Minnesota Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. Prosecutors allege racketeering, perjury and multiple counts of aiding and abetting theft by swindle. The alleged conduct spans May 2019 through May 2023.

Investigators say Said ran three Medicaid-funded home health agencies. Those companies are named Faym Health, Prestige Health and Minnesota Home Health Care. The office estimates the total billed to Medicaid at about $11 million.

How the fraud is described

• Billing for services that were ineligible for payment.
• Billing waivered services that lacked proper documentation.
• Billing for care not provided to clients.

Court status and bond details

A jury trial that had been scheduled was canceled after Said did not appear. He paid an unconditional $150,000 bond to avoid surrendering his passport. A conditional bond that required a passport surrender was originally set at $50,000.

Court records note concerns about Said’s family ties outside the United States. Documents mention a wife and child living in Nairobi, Kenya. A detective warned those ties increase flight risk.

Evidence and investigative findings

Probe materials cite a case manager at Faym Health who admitted creating fraudulent paperwork. The case manager said she was paid to produce false documentation and received about $73,000. Records say Faym Health was paid more than $4.6 million based on that paperwork.

Investigators identified nearly $1 million billed for clients who denied receiving services. They also flagged roughly $300,000 in overbilling. More than $5.8 million was allegedly billed for undocumented or fraudulently documented services.

Prior conviction and co-defendants

Said was previously convicted of Medicaid fraud in 2022 and ordered to repay $77,000. State rules barred him from working with Medicaid-funded agencies. Prosecutors contend he continued to operate the agencies without disclosing his involvement.

Two other men are charged alongside him: Ali Abdirizak Ahmed and Said Awil Ibrahim. Each faces racketeering and aiding and abetting theft by swindle counts. Four additional people were charged earlier in the investigation, and more charges are expected.

Officials’ response and next steps

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said a warrant has been issued after Said missed the pretrial hearing. He said the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit is coordinating with federal partners to locate Said and ensure accountability. Filmogaz.com contacted Said’s attorney, who declined to comment.

The case remains active. Prosecutors continue reviewing records and expect further filings. The situation highlights concerns over Minnesota fraud and taxpayer losses tied to alleged schemes.