In the wake of what appears to be billions of dollars worth of welfare fraud committed against 14 Minnesota Medicaid-funded welfare programs, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday directed two state agencies to investigate the potential misuse of taxpayer money in one program, Texas’ Child Care Services Program (CCSP).
So far, at least 98 people have been charged, including 85 Somalians, for their role in an alleged fraud scheme targeting 14 high-risk Medicaid-funded services through Minnesota Department of Human Services programs, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced last week. Sixty have already been found guilty, with some pleading guilty last month, The Center Square reported. The charges stem from a multi-year investigation.
In October, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz shut down all 14 programs and ordered a third-party audit of Medicaid billing at DHS. In December, he appointed a new director to implement a statewide fraud prevention program.
He did so as Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Thompson announced additional indictments stemming from a multi-year investigation into a scheme defrauding DHS programs created to help disabled children and adults, including those diagnosed with autism.
Three programs were targeted by alleged fraudsters for years, which have nothing to do with childcare facilities: Minnesota’s Housing Stabilization Services (HSS), Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention Autism (EIDBI) and Integrated Community Services (ICS).
Less than a month after appointing a new fraud director, Walz announced Monday he is not running for reelection . Congressional hearings also are scheduled for next month to address extensive fraud allegations.