A significant turn of events has unfolded in Minnesota as a man accused of masterminding an $11 million Medicaid fraud scheme evaded a court appearance, leading authorities to issue a warrant for his arrest. The individual in question, Abdirashid Ismail Said, 50, was scheduled to attend a pretrial hearing in Hennepin County but failed to show up, resulting in the forfeiture of his bond, according to reports from FOX 9, which sourced the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office.

In light of this development, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has expressed his determination to locate Said in collaboration with federal authorities. In a statement to the media, Ellison affirmed, “A warrant has been issued for Said’s arrest after he failed to appear for a pretrial hearing.”

Ellison further elaborated on the situation, emphasizing the collaborative efforts underway: “My Medicaid Fraud Control Unit is working with federal law enforcement to locate Said and ensure he faces justice for the fraud he committed,” he stated, highlighting the gravity of the situation.

The attorney general acknowledged the setback posed by Said’s absence but reaffirmed his commitment to pursuing justice. “This is a deeply frustrating setback. However, I remain committed to doing everything I can to hold Said and other Medicaid fraudsters accountable,” Ellison insisted. His words underscore the ongoing efforts to combat fraud within the Medicaid system and to bring those responsible to justice.

“My Medicaid Fraud Control Unit is working with federal law enforcement to locate Said and ensure he faces justice for the fraud he committed. 

“This is a deeply frustrating setback. However, I remain committed to doing everything I can to hold Said and other Medicaid fraudsters accountable.”

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.

Prosecutors charged Said with racketeering and multiple counts of aiding and abetting theft by swindle in an alleged scheme that defrauded Minnesota’s Medicaid program of nearly $11 million, according to a 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 after a prior fraud conviction.

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.

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 US 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 prosecuted multiple fraud cases, appeared before Congress earlier this year to address concerns about enforcement and oversight.