$14 MILLION SCAM IN ILHAN OMAR’S COMMUNITY! Minnesota Welfare System In Shambles

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$14 Million Scam Rocks Ilhan Omar’s Community: Minnesota Welfare System Faces Unprecedented Scrutiny

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Minnesota’s welfare system is under the national microscope as one of the largest fraud scandals in U.S. history continues to unfold, implicating dozens of individuals—many from the state’s Somali immigrant community—and raising urgent questions about government oversight, taxpayer accountability, and the integrity of social safety nets.

The “Feeding Our Future” scandal, which has so far resulted in 78 federal indictments and is now linked to a separate $14 million autism services fraud, has exposed vulnerabilities in Minnesota’s administration of public assistance programs. The case has also sparked debate about the intersection of immigration, community responsibility, and the role of elected officials such as Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, whose district includes many of those accused.

The Allegations: Did Taxpayer Money Fund Terrorism?

The most explosive allegation to emerge from the ongoing investigation is that some of the stolen funds may have ended up in the hands of al-Shabaab, a Somalia-based terrorist group affiliated with al-Qaeda. While federal authorities have not confirmed direct transfers to terrorist organizations, they acknowledge that millions of dollars were sent overseas, with some reports suggesting a portion may have been funneled to actors in Somalia.

President Trump has seized on the scandal, calling Minnesota a “hub for Somali gang networks” and announcing plans to end deportation protections for roughly 700 Somali nationals living in the state.

“This is not just a local issue,” said one federal investigator. “The scale of the fraud, and the possibility that taxpayer money could be supporting terrorism, makes this a matter of national security.”

Feeding Our Future: The Largest COVID Fraud Scheme

At the heart of the scandal is Feeding Our Future, a nonprofit organization that was supposed to provide meals to low-income children during the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, according to federal prosecutors, it became the epicenter of a massive fraud operation.

The scheme was straightforward but audacious: more than 200 nutrition program sites were opened across Minnesota, each claiming to serve thousands of meals daily to children in need. Organizers fabricated attendance rosters, submitted fake invoices, and staged photos to make it appear as if meals were being distributed. In reality, prosecutors say, many of the meals never existed.

The federal government, eager to support children during the pandemic, reimbursed these claims without adequate oversight. The result was the theft of over $250 million in taxpayer funds—money that was meant to help the state’s most vulnerable children.

A federal jury has already found Amy Bach, the founder of Feeding Our Future, and Salem Ahmed Sed, a key associate, guilty of conspiracy, bribery, wire fraud, and money laundering. Authorities say more arrests are likely as the investigation continues.

The Autism Services Fraud: $14 Million More Stolen

The scandal’s tentacles extend beyond Feeding Our Future. This week, federal prosecutors announced the first charges in a related $14 million autism services fraud scheme. Asha Farhan Hassan, a 28-year-old Somali-American woman, was charged with wire fraud for allegedly creating fake autism therapy centers, billing Medicaid for services that were never provided, and paying kickbacks to families who participated in the scam.

According to court documents, Hassan and her partners registered their company as an autism service provider, recruited families, and ensured that all children received autism diagnoses—regardless of medical need. They then billed Medicaid for the maximum allowable services, while hiring unqualified friends and family members as “therapists” and paying off parents to keep the scheme going.

Hassan is also linked to the Feeding Our Future fraud, having received nearly half a million dollars through the same channels. Her attorney says she intends to plead guilty and is cooperating with federal investigators.

“This is a perfect storm,” said Hassan’s lawyer. “A lot of business owners saw loopholes and took advantage. There was a huge failure in government oversight.”

How Did It Happen? Audits Expose Lax Oversight

A series of state and federal audits have revealed that Minnesota’s welfare system was rife with vulnerabilities. The Department of Human Services (DHS) failed to perform required security reviews of the computer systems that manage the state’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other benefits.

In both 2020 and 2023, federal audits found that the DHS did not complete information system security reviews, leaving the system open to breaches and fraud. The MAXIS system, which holds personal data for more than 440,000 Minnesotans, was particularly at risk.

Officials at DHS cited a lack of resources as the reason for not completing the reviews. “If you guys would stop stealing the resources in Minnesota, you wouldn’t have a lack of resources,” one critic remarked.

The commissioner of the new Department of Children, Youth, and Families, which took over SNAP administration in 2024, insists that security reviews are now up to date. “Our security plan was reviewed and certified in March of 2024, and our team is currently undergoing the process to secure and certify for 2025,” said Tikki Brown in a recent interview.

Still, recipients of SNAP and other benefits remain concerned about the safety of their personal information and the integrity of the programs they rely on. “I have to upload my lease, my medical records, everything, every time I apply,” said one recipient. “That’s information I don’t necessarily want people having.”

The Political Fallout: Omar, Trump, and the Somali Community

The scandal has become a flashpoint in Minnesota politics, with critics of Congresswoman Ilhan Omar accusing her of turning a blind eye to fraud in her community. Omar, who represents Minnesota’s Fifth District and is herself a Somali refugee, has condemned the fraud and called for accountability.

However, some right-wing commentators have used the scandal to attack Omar personally and to question the loyalty of Somali immigrants more broadly. “Seems like a lot of her folks engage in this stuff somewhat disproportionately,” said one pundit, echoing the sentiments of those who see the scandal as evidence of deeper problems with immigration and assimilation.

President Trump has been especially vocal, using the scandal to justify stricter immigration policies and the end of deportation protections for Somali nationals. “We give billions of dollars out to Somalia. It’s not even a country because it doesn’t function like a country,” Trump said in a recent interview. “We’re not taking their people anymore, and we’re getting a lot of their people out because they’re nothing but trouble.”

Leaders in the Somali-American community have pushed back, arguing that the vast majority of Somali immigrants are law-abiding citizens who contribute positively to Minnesota’s economy and culture. They warn against scapegoating entire communities for the actions of a few.

A Systemic Problem: Endless Fraud or Isolated Scandal?

The Feeding Our Future and autism therapy scams are not isolated incidents, some critics argue. Minnesota has faced repeated allegations of fraud in its welfare system, from EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) card scams to Medicaid overbilling.

State officials acknowledge the challenges but insist that reforms are underway. “Security reviews of the system are up to date,” said Commissioner Brown. “We are committed to restoring trust in our public assistance programs.”

Yet, many Minnesotans remain skeptical. “The fraud in Minnesota never ends,” said one local commentator. “It’s truly endless when it concerns Ilhan Omar and the gang.”

Broader Implications: Trust in Public Institutions

The fallout from the scandal extends beyond Minnesota. Nationally, the case has become a rallying cry for those who argue for stricter welfare oversight, tighter immigration controls, and greater accountability for public officials.

For recipients of public assistance, the scandal has shaken trust in the very programs meant to help them. “It’s really scary,” said one SNAP recipient. “You give them everything—your medical records, your lease, your personal information—and you just hope it’s safe.”

For policymakers, the case is a stark reminder of the need for robust oversight and the dangers of complacency in government administration.

What Happens Next? More Charges, More Reforms

As federal prosecutors continue to pursue charges against those involved in the Feeding Our Future and autism therapy scams, state officials are promising reforms. The Department of Children, Youth, and Families is implementing new security protocols, and lawmakers are considering legislation to strengthen oversight of nonprofits and social service providers.

Meanwhile, the investigation is far from over. Authorities say more indictments are likely, and they are working to recover as much of the stolen money as possible.

For Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, the scandal remains a political challenge. She has called for full accountability and transparency, while also defending her community against what she calls “unfair attacks and collective blame.”

Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call for Minnesota—and the Nation

The $14 million autism scam and the broader Feeding Our Future scandal have laid bare the vulnerabilities in Minnesota’s welfare system, the dangers of inadequate oversight, and the complex interplay of immigration, community, and politics.

As the state grapples with the fallout, the rest of the nation is watching—looking for lessons, warning signs, and a path forward. For those who depend on public assistance, for the officials tasked with oversight, and for the communities caught in the crossfire, the stakes could not be higher.

One thing is clear: restoring trust in Minnesota’s welfare system will require more than reforms—it will demand vigilance, accountability, and a renewed commitment to the principles that underpin the social safety net.

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