A Minnesota judge is under scrutiny after overturning the conviction of a man found guilty in a $7.2 million taxpayer-funded Medicaid fraud scheme linked to luxury purchases and nonexistent healthcare services.
Abdifatah Yusuf and his wife, Lul Ahmed, were charged in June 2024 with stealing millions from Minnesota’s Medicaid program through a home-healthcare company that prosecutors said operated “for years out of a mailbox.”
Fraud Scheme and Lavish Spending
According to the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office, Yusuf billed the state for services that were never provided and inflated claims without documentation. Investigators said he used the stolen funds to support a lavish lifestyle, including shopping sprees at Coach, Canada Goose, Michael Kors, Nike, Nordstrom, and other luxury retailers.
Prosecutors said Yusuf transferred over $1 million from the company’s account to his personal account and withdrew more than $387,000 in cash.
In August, a jury convicted Yusuf on six counts of aiding and abetting theft by swindle over $35,000.
Judge Overturns Verdict
But in November, Judge Sarah West threw out the guilty verdict, ruling that the state’s case relied too heavily on circumstantial evidence and failed to rule out other “reasonable inferences,” according to reporting by KARE.
West wrote that she was “troubled” by how easily the alleged fraud occurred but said the legal standard for conviction had not been met.
Backlash From Lawmakers and Jurors
The ruling stunned lawmakers and jurors who served on the case.
State Rep. Kristin Robbins said she was shocked.
“We want to strengthen state law so that we can get prosecutions out of these cases. Because clearly a jury thought he was guilty,” Robbins said.
Jury foreperson Ben Walfoort said the conviction was straightforward.
“It was not a difficult decision whatsoever… It was beyond a reasonable doubt,” he said. “I am shocked.”
Another juror said the panel reached agreement “pretty easily.”
Defense Praises Judge’s Decision
Yusuf’s attorney, Ian Birrell, praised the ruling, arguing Yusuf was wrongly accused.
“Judge West’s ruling affirms what we have maintained from the beginning… Our client did not commit fraud or racketeering.”
Attorney General Appeals
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has appealed the acquittal, keeping the case alive amid broader concerns over statewide fraud schemes. Minnesota continues to deal with fallout from major scandals, including the Feeding Our Future COVID-19 funding fraud.
Leave a Reply