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A man facing charges for allegedly masterminding an $11 million Medicaid fraud scheme in Minnesota has evaded justice by missing a court date, leading to the issuance of an arrest warrant, according to authorities.
Abdirashid Ismail Said, aged 50, did not attend a pre-trial hearing scheduled in Hennepin County, thereby forfeiting his bond. This development was reported by FOX 9, which referenced information from the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office.
In response, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced that his team is collaborating with federal agencies to track down Said. Ellison expressed his determination to see justice served, noting, “A warrant has been issued for Said’s arrest following his failure to appear for the pre-trial hearing. My Medicaid Fraud Control Unit is actively working with federal law enforcement to locate Said and ensure he is held accountable for the fraud he perpetrated. While this is a deeply frustrating setback, I remain steadfast in my commitment to pursue justice against Said and others who engage in Medicaid fraud.”
Ellison’s efforts to combat Medicaid fraud were highlighted during his appearance at a Senate Homeland Security Committee hearing on Capitol Hill, where he addressed the ongoing challenges of holding such offenders accountable. (Photo credit: Tom Brenner/AP Photo)
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison speaks during a Senate Homeland Security Committee hearing on Capitol Hill. (Tom Brenner/AP Photo)
Said posted a $150,000 unconditional bond to avoid stricter conditions, including surrendering his passport, while a $50,000 conditional bond would have required it, according to FOX 9. Investigators also raised concerns about Said’s potential to flee, citing family ties abroad, according to FOX 9.
Prosecutors charged Said with racketeering and multiple counts of aiding and abetting theft by swindle in connection with an alleged scheme that defrauded Minnesota’s Medicaid program of nearly $11 million, according to the criminal complaint.
The complaint alleges Said carried out the scheme — from 2019 through 2023 — by secretly operating multiple Medicaid-funded home health care agencies despite being barred from working with such programs following a prior fraud conviction.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz fields questions during a press conference about federal detention of children at the State Capitol building on Feb. 3, 2026, in St. Paul, Minnesota. (Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
Authorities said Said and his co-conspirators billed Medicaid for services that were never provided, weren’t properly recorded or were backed by fake paperwork. Investigators also allege the group billed for services that weren’t eligible for payment and charged more than they should have.
According to court documents, the scheme involved millions of dollars in fraudulent billing, including more than $4.6 million paid to one agency based on falsified documentation. Investigators also found nearly $1 million was billed for clients who denied receiving services, along with more than $300,000 in overbilling and more than $5.8 million in claims that were not documented or were fraudulently documented.
Court records show Said was convicted of Medicaid fraud in 2022, ordered to pay $77,000 and barred from working with any Medicaid-funded agency — a restriction prosecutors allege he later violated.
Joe Thompson was the lead prosecutor that helped uncover the massive $250 million Feeding Our Future food fraud case tied to the state’s Somali community. (AP Newsroom)
The case has raised new concerns about oversight of taxpayer-funded programs, as state leaders, including Gov. Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison, have faced mounting criticism over their handling of fraud in Minnesota.
The development comes amid broader concerns over fraud in Minnesota, including the sprawling “Feeding Our Future” case, in which prosecutors allege defendants created fake meal programs and fraudulently claimed more than $250 million in federal funds.
Former Acting U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson has suggested fraud across some programs could total billions of dollars, potentially reaching $9 billion.
State officials have faced ongoing questions about oversight of taxpayer-funded programs, with critics pointing to additional fraud cases involving Medicaid and welfare spending.
Ellison, whose office has brought multiple fraud cases, appeared before Congress earlier this year to address concerns about enforcement and oversight.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota for additional comment.