US EditionSt. Cloud autism center has license suspended; owner charged with fraud
The center allegedly used unqualified staff and inflated Medicaid claims, defrauding $6 million from a publicly funded autism program, federal prosecutors said.
- Minnesota Department of Human Services temporarily revoked Star Autism Center LLC's license, effective Jan. 23, 2026, at Midtown Square Mall, 3333 W. Division St., St. Cloud.
- Federal prosecutors allege Abdinajib Hassan Yussuf and others devised a scheme to defraud the Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention program, obtaining more than $6,000,000, with charges announced in December.
- The U.S. Attorney's Office says Star Autism paid monthly cash kickbacks to parents, used underqualified teenage employees, and funded a $100,000 freightliner semi-truck plus $200,000 transfers to Kenya.
- State regulators issued the suspension on Jan. 22 to take effect Jan. 23, and the DHS order states the immediate suspension rests on a controlling individual charged with fraud; DHS licensing information lookup reports Star Autism Center closed on Dec. 31, 2026.
- Authorities say Somali community parents and enrolled children were recruited by Star Autism Center LLC, while Midtown Square's buyer plans to revitalize the mall at 3333 W. Division St.
11 Articles
11 Articles
Minnesota Department of Human Services suspends St. Cloud-based Star Autism Center’s license
ST PAUL, MINN. — Saint Cloud-based Star Autism Center’s licensed has been suspended by the Minnesota Department of Human Services. According to information from the Department of Human Services’ database, the suspension ‘is based on a determination that a controlling individual is criminally charged with an offense that involves fraud or theft against a program administered by a state or federal agency.’ Its Authorized Agent, Abdinajib Hassan Yu…
St. Cloud autism center has license suspended; owner charged with fraud
ST. CLOUD — Star Autism Center LLC, based in St. Cloud, has had its license suspended after its owner, Abdinajib Hassan Yussuf, was federally charged with wire fraud. The Jan. 23 order from the Minnesota Department of Human Services comes as Yussuf, 27, is accused of a $6 million scheme to defraud a publicly funded health care program. Authorities have alleged that the center employed individuals, typically teenagers, without training beyond hig…
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