Federal agents carried out a series of raids on autism care centers in Minnesota this Thursday, in a new offensive against fraud schemes in publicly funded programs. The operations come as questions about the oversight of state and federal resources allocated to social and health services increase.
The investigations are part of efforts to detect irregularities in the Medicaid system, which has come under increasing scrutiny due to allegations of multimillion-dollar fraud in Minnesota.
The FBI confirmed that various federal and state agencies executed court-authorized procedures at multiple establishments, including centers located in the cities of Minneapolis, Saint Paul, and Rochester.
The operation involved the FBI, the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), criminal investigators from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), federal postal inspectors, and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. Matt Vogel, an FBI spokesperson in Minneapolis, confirmed that the investigations remain open and noted that, for now, no additional details will be disclosed.
The FBI carried out a series of raids to advance fraud in programs such as Medicaid in the state of Minnesota
Investigating centers that received millions in Medicaid
The Minnesota Attorney General's Office, led by Keith Ellison, confirmed that its Medicaid Fraud Control Unit executed search warrants at two establishments: Iska Inc., located in St. Louis Park, and Bright Horizon Therapy, in Edina.
Both organizations provide services related to autism or other benefits funded through Medicaid. According to state data, Iska Inc. received over $16.7 million in Medicaid payments between 2018 and 2025.
The company participated in the Intensive Early Intervention program for Development and Behavior, aimed at providing treatments to children and youth with autism. This program has raised particular concern due to the significant growth in public disbursements and investigations into possible fraudulent reimbursement claims.
Minnesota State Attorney General Keith Ellison executed two search warrants
Minnesota faces scrutiny over its oversight
The new procedures add to a series of investigations that have exposed various irregularities in different assistance programs funded by taxpayers.
In April, federal and state investigators executed 22 search warrants in Minnesota, including establishments dedicated to childcare and autism care centers. Subsequently, in May, the Department of Justice announced charges against 15 defendants for healthcare fraud schemes involving projected losses exceeding $90 million.
Among the cases was an operation that allegedly sought to defraud $46.6 million from the state intervention program for individuals with autism.
According to the Department of Justice, Medicaid reimbursement requests linked to that program increased from over $600,000 in 2018 to over $400 million in 2025. This growth has intensified questions about the effectiveness of Minnesota's oversight mechanisms and the ability of state authorities to timely identify potential abuses.
The government of socialist Tim Walz must provide explanations about the management of public health programs
The Trump administration intensifies the fight against fraud
The raids coincide with preparations for a visit by Vice President JD Vance to Minnesota, accompanied by members of the White House Task Force on Eliminating Fraud.
The initiative reflects the priority that President Donald Trump has placed on combating the misuse of public resources and strengthening accountability.
Federal investigations represent an important step to clarify potential irregularities and determine whether there were oversight failures that facilitated the diversion of funds intended for vulnerable families.
As the investigations continue, Minnesota and its dismal Democratic government face increasing pressure to explain how these programs were managed and what measures will be taken to prevent new cases.
For now, authorities have not filed charges stemming from Thursday's raids and suspicions regarding the establishments under investigation remain unproven.
The Trump administration maintains as a priority the fight against cases of corruption in public administration programs.
