Minneapolis, MN
FBI raids autism treatment centers in Minneapolis, St. Cloud in fraud case
FBI raids MN autism treatment centers
FBI agents raided autism treatment centers in Minneapolis and St. Cloud Thursday morning. The raids could be part of a broader investigation, with search warrants indicating that the raids are part of an investigation into possible Medicaid fraud.
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – FBI agents raided autism treatment centers in Minneapolis and St. Cloud Thursday morning. The raids could be part of a broader investigation, with search warrants indicating that the raids are part of an investigation into possible Medicaid fraud.
What we know
At 9 a.m., agents raided a Minneapolis autism center called “Smart Therapy,” located in a storefront. A second raid occurred at “Star Autism” in St. Cloud. Both centers are suspected of massive fraud involving state funds.
A 54-page federal search warrant, unsealed at the same time as the raids, outlines an investigation into wire fraud, healthcare fraud, and conspiracy. It states that Smart Therapy received nearly $14 million in state funds since 2019, while Star Autism has received more than $6 million since 2020. The document says, “many of these claims appear fraudulent.”
Context
This investigation grew out of the Feeding Our Future case, which involved hundreds of millions of dollars in fraudulent meal claims. The FBI says they noticed a connection between the schemes. “At least a dozen of the defendants charged for their role in the Feeding Our Future scheme owned, received money from, or were associated with autism clinics and other healthcare companies that received state funds,” the warrant says.
Witnesses told investigators the owners of these clinics recruited clients by talking to parents they knew, even going door to door. The warrant alleges some parents were paid to bring their children to the clinics.
In some cases, investigators believe children weren’t even present. Medicaid was allegedly billed for services when children were at school or, in one case, at home recovering from surgery. The warrant also alleges bills were submitted for work by people who didn’t work at the centers—or by medical providers who were not in the country.
Larger investigation
The warrant suggests these raids are just part of a broader investigation, as dozens of similar autism centers opened around the same time. Many of them are suspected of submitting fraudulent claims.
The scene of the crash at 26th Avenue North and Emerson Avenue North in Minneapolis. (FOX 9)
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – A Minneapolis woman was sentenced for her role in a deadly crash that killed two women and injured two other people in December 2024.
READ MORE: Minneapolis woman charged in fatal high-speed crash faces additional charges
Woman sentenced in fatal Minneapolis crash
Big picture view:
Prosecutors say Teniki Steward drove a Buick Enclave into a bus shelter and a Ford Explorer after speeding through a red light.
Both of the women in the Ford Explorer died in the crash. They were identified as 53-year-old Ester Jean Fulks and 57-year-old Rose Elaine Reece.
During the crash, the Ford Explorer went off the road, injuring a 17-year-old boy who was waiting for a school bus.
The passenger in Steward’s vehicle also suffered injuries.
Minneapolis police said that Steward was also injured in the crash.
Steward pleaded guilty to multiple murder charges.
What they’re saying:
During the sentencing, the daughter of one of the victims had a statement read on her behalf:
“There’s nothing that can truly prepare you for the moment your entire world is taken from you. Losing my mom has left a pain in my heart that words will never be able to explain.”
What’s next:
Minnesota law requires that Steward serves at least two-thirds of her sentence, a bit under eight-and-a-half years, in prison.
Fatal Emerson and 26th crash
The backstory:
According to the criminal complaint, through surveillance videos from the scene of the crash and witnesses, investigators learned that Steward, driving the Buick Enclave, had been driving at a high rate of speed northbound on Emerson Avenue North.
Before the fatal crash, Steward sped through the intersection of Emerson Avenue North and Broadway Avenue North, running a red light and nearly causing a crash, the charges said.
Steward then continued to speed northbound down Emerson Avenue North, and ran another red light at 26th Avenue North, hitting the Ford Explorer, which was traveling eastbound, according to the complaint.
The Ford Explorer had been at the intersection of Emerson and 26th on a green light.
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty shared the following statement:
“This was an egregious act that took Rose and Esther’s lives and injured a child waiting to go to school at a bus stop. Ms. Steward was driving at extremely dangerous speeds on city streets and narrowly avoided multiple collisions before the incident occurred. Third-degree murder charges are appropriate to hold her accountable and protect our community.”
The Source: This story uses information gathered from an Olmsted County court appearance and previous FOX 9 reporting.
A motorcyclist is dead after an early morning crash in Minneapolis Friday morning.
The Minnesota State Patrol said that at 1:20 a.m., a Suzuki Motorcycle going north on I-35W at Johnson Street hit the left side of the median guard rail.
The motorcycle continued north for about another quarter mile before coming to a rest on the right-hand side.
State Patrol said the rider came to rest on the left shoulder. He was later identified as 21-year-old Andrew James Neuberger.
ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC) – The Rochester Spartans boys volleyball team played its second game on consecutive nights. The Spartans beat Minneapolis Camden 3-0.
Rochester’s next game will be Tuesday, April 21, at St. Anthony Village at 7:00 p.m.
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