First charge in MN autism program fraud
Federal prosecutors charged Asha Farhan Hassan, 28, with wire fraud, alleging she used Smart Therapy LLC/Smart Therapy Centers to obtain more than $14 million from Minnesota’s EIDBI program via DHS and UCare by paying parents $300–$1,500 a month and hiring unqualified teen relatives, while also claiming to feed up to 1,200 children a day under Feeding Our Future and seeking nearly $500,000 in reimbursements. Authorities say funds were moved overseas, including for property in Kenya; the FBI previously raided autism centers in Minneapolis and St. Cloud, and Hassan is the 76th defendant tied to the broader Feeding Our Future case but the first charged in the autism-center probe. Her attorney says she plans to plead guilty within weeks and is cooperating to some degree, as investigators estimate related fraud totals approaching $300 million; the defense called it a “perfect storm” amid recent state funding changes.
📰 Sources (2)
- Defense says Hassan plans to plead guilty within weeks.
- Her attorney, Ryan Pacyga, says there is 'some level of cooperation' with federal prosecutors.
- FOX 9 reports Smart Therapy Centers claimed feeding up to 1,200 children daily via Feeding Our Future and sought nearly $500,000 in reimbursements, in addition to ~$14 million in EIDBI billings.
- Hassan is identified as the 76th defendant in the broader Feeding Our Future case and the first charged in the autism-center probe.
- Defense quotes characterize a 'perfect storm' of factors enabling the scheme; article notes the state only recently changed funding approaches to these programs.
- Investigators’ fraud totals are 'pushing $300 million,' with more charges expected across related cases.