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.
MINNEAPOLIS — Real Capital Solutions (RCS) has acquired 3701 Wayzata Boulevard, a 308,681-square-foot office property in the Urban West End neighborhood of Minneapolis, for $34 million. Situated on 25.8 acres overlooking Brownie and Cedar lakes, the nine-story asset is 99 percent leased and serves as the headquarters location for several companies such as Tactile Medical, SRF Consulting Group, Regis Corp. and MOBE.
Originally developed as a corporate headquarters campus for Prudential and later occupied by Target Corp., the property underwent a comprehensive renovation and repositioning in 2019. Amenities today include a fitness center, conference facilities, a golf simulator, onsite café, outdoor gathering spaces, a rooftop patio, bike storage and direct access to regional trail systems.
Big Honking Truck Parade heads to Minneapolis
A ?cavalcade of wheels? will line Nicollet Mall in Minneapolis on Thursday, July 31, for the first-ever ?Minneapolis Moves: The Big Honking Truck Parade? featuring vehicles from fire engines to snowplows.
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Families can get up close to massive trucks and city vehicles as the Big Honking Truck Parade rolls back through Minneapolis on Thursday.
Big trucks take over Nicollet Mall
What we know:
The “Minneapolis Moves: The Big Honking Truck Parade” is set to line downtown with municipal, public safety, construction and big-wheel trucks in an effort to bring families together and highlight the people and equipment that keep the city running.
The event begins at 5 p.m. with a local vendor market featuring crafts and food. A parade then starts at 5:30 p.m., traveling down Nicollet Mall from East Grant Street to South Sixth Street.
Mayor Frey during the 2025 Big Honking Truck Parade. Credit: City of Minneapolis (Supplied)
Dig deeper:
The parade is said to feature City of Minneapolis cars, police and fire trucks, construction vehicles, semitrailers and more from local businesses and operators.
Two Minnesota Special Olympics athletes, Dequan Williams of Minneapolis and Niko Lichtscheidl of St. Francis will serve as grand marshals of the parade, ahead of the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games which officially kick off in Minnesota on Saturday.
After the parade, all vehicles will be parked along the Mall until 8 p.m. for a “touch-a-truck” experience, giving families a chance to explore the trucks up close.
According to officials, the parade route will:
- Begin at East Grant Street
- Travel down Nicollet Mall
- End at South Sixth Street
Hoping to expand upon its first year in 2025, the parade is said to feature City of Minneapolis cars, police and fire trucks, construction vehicles, semitrailers and more from local businesses and operators.
What they’re saying:
“The Big Honkin’ Truck Parade is one of those uniquely Minneapolis events that brings families together while showcasing the people and equipment that serve our city every day,” Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said in a press release. “It’s fun, it’s educational, and it’s a great reminder of all the work happening behind the scenes to keep Minneapolis running.”
The Source: Information provided by a City of Minneapolis press release.
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