Half of $18B in federal funds for Minnesota-run programs may have been defrauded, official says
Federal prosecutors say investigations uncovered fraud in at least 14 state programs, charging 92 people and proving $350 million in fraudulent claims so far.
- On Dec. 18, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson said about half or more of roughly $18 billion in Medicaid claims to Minnesota-run programs may be fraudulent, with at least 14 programs exploited.
- Amid what prosecutors call "fraud tourism," out‑of‑state operators registered as Minnesota providers to chase easy money, while companies created to provide zero services pocketed federal funds lavishly.
- Authorities have charged 92 people across various programs and investigators have proven about $350 million in fraud so far, with indictments against a half‑dozen new suspects announced recently.
- The scale of the alleged fraud threatens services for vulnerable recipients, with Thompson warning it outpaces other states and Gov. Tim Walz noting an audit due for completion by late January.
- One defendant submitted $1.4 million in false claims and bought cryptocurrency, two defendants pocketed $750,000 meant for housing, and federal officials say a subpoenaed individual fled the country.
49 Articles
49 Articles
Over $9 Billion Looted From Minnesota Medicaid Programs, Feds Say
Federal prosecutors alleged Thursday that Minnesota may have lost billions of dollars to fraud in its Medicaid program, the latest development in an ongoing investigation. As much as half of the roughly $18 billion Minnesota has spent since 2018 on 14 Medicaid programs particularly vulnerable to abuse may have been siphoned off by fraudsters, according […]
U.S. Attorney's Office suspects fraud in Minnesota government programs could exceed $9 billion
Share This StoryAssistant U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson said he thinks a “significant portion” of $18 billion spent on 14 state-run Medicaid programs could be fraudulent. Asked to elaborate on what a “significant portion” meant, Thompson said “half or more.” Thompson, who has led the federal government’s fraud prosecutions in Minnesota, made those comments at a press conference on Thursday in Minneapolis. At that press event, the federal prosecutor…
6 More Fraud Suspects Indicted in Minnesota, as $18 Billion in Medicaid Billing Is Reviewed - The Thinking Conservative News
U.S. First Asst Attorney Joe Thompson announced indictments against a half-dozen new suspects in recently identified welfare fraud schemes in Minnesota. The post 6 More Fraud Suspects Indicted in Minnesota, as $18 Billion in Medicaid Billing Is Reviewed appeared first on The Thinking Conservative News.
6 More Fraud Suspects Indicted in Minnesota, as $18 Billion in Medicaid Billing Is Reviewed
U.S. First Assistant Attorney Joe Thompson announced indictments against a half-dozen new suspects in a pair of recently identified welfare fraud schemes. Speaking at a news conference in Minnesota on Dec. 18, Thompson said investigators are working “around the clock” to dig into “staggering, industrial-scale fraud.” Five more people have been charged in a “Housing Stabilization Services” program; a couple of those suspects had no connection to …
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