On May 21, the U.S. Justice Department announced criminal charges against 15 defendants in Minnesota over alleged health care fraud schemes involving more than $90 million in intended loss. The cases include what the department describes as the two largest Medicaid fraud cases ever charged in the state and the largest autism fraud scheme ever prosecuted by federal authorities.
The crackdown targets owners of child care centers and various Medicaid providers who allegedly participated in fraudulent activities. Vice President JD Vance chairs President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a White House-backed initiative that the Justice Department ties directly to this enforcement action.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche stated: “Today, we are holding scammers accountable who ripped off the American taxpayer and harmed those deserving legitimate assistance from these programs.” The administration also announced a significant expansion of its Health Care Fraud Section, including funding for 15 new trial attorney positions to combat Medicaid fraud nationwide.
This takedown aligns with the Justice Department’s broader efforts, which include over 6,200 defendants charged since 2007 who collectively billed federal health care programs and private insurers for more than $45 billion. The Minnesota cases are part of a coordinated strategy under President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud and the newly established National Fraud Enforcement Division, created on April 7 to investigate and prosecute those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars.
All 15 defendants remain presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
