Prompted by a flood of tips from readers about facilities that tipsters say do not appear to be providing services, Alpha News reporters Liz Collin and Jenna Gloeb visited more than a dozen autism centers and adult day care businesses across the Twin Cities during posted business hours on Monday, Dec. 15.
Vacant rooms and autism therapy centers with no children present were among the findings as the reporters examined concerns raised by tipsters about Medicaid-funded programs.
No children were observed at any of the autism centers visited. Only a few workers and a small number of elderly women were seen at the adult day care facilities. Many of the locations seemed empty.
At one location, a luxury sedan circled the Alpha News reporters in the parking lot. Shortly afterward, police were called to report the journalists.
Just days after the site visits, federal officials revealed new details about the scale of suspected fraud in Minnesota’s Medicaid system, announcing dollar figures that far exceed previous estimates.
At a Dec. 18 press conference, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson said 14 Medicaid programs designated by the state as “high risk” have billed a combined $18 billion since 2018, with “half or more” of that amount potentially fraudulent.
Thompson described the situation as “staggering, industrial-scale fraud” that has overwhelmed state systems.
Alongside the $250 million Feeding Our Future scandal, autism-related Medicaid claims increased from about $3 million in 2018 to $399 million in 2023 within Minnesota’s Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention (EIDBI) program.
In response, state officials have paused new adult day care licenses, flagged certain programs for heightened scrutiny, and launched investigations into autism service providers.
Federal prosecutors have also charged more than 90 individuals across multiple schemes, alleging millions of dollars were billed for nonexistent or inflated services. To date, 90% of those who have been charged by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in connection to Minnesota fraud are from the Somali community.
As part of its ongoing coverage, Alpha News followed up on reader tips, as it has in prior reporting on Bashi Adult Day Care and Fountain Autism Center.
Reviews of publicly available records and visits to the locations raised additional questions.
Ausome Development Center Inc., Edina
One of the facilities Alpha News visited was Ausome Development Center Inc. in Edina. Gulled Faisal Hodleh is listed as the company’s CEO.
A tipster described the location as a children’s autism center where “no children are ever seen,” despite regular vehicle traffic.
When reporters arrived, they observed no children on site. Three adult employees were present and quickly became defensive. At some point while Alpha News journalists were there, someone called the police.
As the reporters left, a BMW with tinted windows followed their vehicle. Alpha News then reached out to Hodleh for comment. Hodleh said, “We went to Edina Police Department when you were here and you trespassed,” Hodleh said.
Hodleh also told Alpha News, “I would appreciate you do not call my phone again,” before ending the call.
Following the on-site visit, Alpha News found that several images shown on Ausome’s website appear to be stock photos and did not match the facility observed by reporters.
Public payment records show Ausome Development Center Inc. has received at least $2.5 million in taxpayer funds in recent years. Unlike adult day care providers, autism service providers operating under Minnesota’s EIDBI program are not required to hold a state license.
- 2026: $780,223
- 2025: $1,198,345
- 2024: $502,637
State payment data is reported by fiscal year, which runs from July 1 to June 30. Fiscal year 2026 includes payments issued during the latter half of 2025.
Amni Corp., St. Anthony
Another stop was Amni Corporation, also known as Amni Adult Day Center, located in St. Anthony. Faisa Jama is listed as the authorized agent, according to public records.
A neighbor told Alpha News that the facility has operated for years, but residents have “never seen a single person go inside.”
When reporters visited, staff said the center was at full capacity, which they said is 35 participants. However, only a handful of people were observed inside — primarily elderly women and a few workers.
According to a 2025 correction order, the state found that Amni Corporation failed to meet various adult day care requirements related to participant safety, documentation, and abuse prevention, and ordered the provider to correct the problems or face sanctions.
Public records show Amni Corp. has received at least $1.1 million in payments from the state:
- 2026: $115,385
- 2025: $191,265
- 2024: $270,904
- 2023: $238,965
- 2022: $151,996
- 2021: $143,270
- 2020: $37,990
As of publication, the Amni Corporation website was listed as “temporarily not available.”
Taaj Daycare Center Inc., Minneapolis
Taaj Daycare Center Inc. in Minneapolis is operated by Abdullahi Ali Musse, according to state records.
When Alpha News reporters came to the door, a woman in a hijab answered and said the facility has a capacity of 75 and that there are no openings.
“We are full,” the woman said.
Public payment records show Taaj Daycare Center received more than $739,000 in state payments in 2025.
However, in 2026, payments dropped sharply to $54,715, based on partial figures available as of late 2025.
- 2026: $54,715
- 2025: $739,211
According to a 2025 corrective order, the state found that Taaj Daycare Center repeatedly failed to meet basic adult day care requirements — not in one area, but across participant care, record-keeping, staff training, services, and facility safety — and ordered the operator to fix those problems or face sanctions.
According to public records, Taaj Daycare Center is restricted from providing adult day services to participants receiving services under the Brain Injury (BI), Community Access for Disability Inclusion (CADI), or Developmental Disabilities (DD) waivers.
Additionally, Alpha News found that a person with Musse’s same name and address is the chief executive officer of a daycare called Metro Learning Center Inc., according to secretary of state records.
According to court records, that daycare participated in the federal Summer Food Service Program under Partners in Quality Care, a nonprofit sponsor that functioned similarly to the notorious Feeding Our Future organization and was co-founded by Aimee Bock.
Bock was the CEO of Feeding Our Future and was found guilty of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit federal programs bribery, and bribery earlier this year.
Unlike Feeding Our Future, no criminal charges have been filed in connection with Partners in Quality Care, also known as Partners in Nutrition, to date.
Court records show that Metro Learning Center filed a lawsuit against entities connected to the food program, alleging the daycare was not properly paid for its participation. The lawsuit was later dismissed with prejudice
Creative Minds Daycare LLC, Minneapolis
Alpha News also visited the location associated with Creative Minds Daycare LLC in Minneapolis, a child care center with Mohamud Muse listed as its authorized agent.
The location has also drawn attention from YouTuber Nick Shirley, whose viral video documenting visits to seemingly empty care facilities has garnered more than 100 million views online. Shirley reported that the center received $2.45 million in state payments during fiscal year 2025.
Alpha News submitted a public data request seeking information on any state payments made to the daycare but had not received a response by publication.
The building appeared dilapidated and rundown during Alpha News’ Dec. 15 visit with signage that read, “Creative Minds Daycare.” A van with visible holes was parked out front alongside a Range Rover. A man at the site told reporters the daycare was still operating, claiming that 60 to 70 children attend the program each day after school. Alpha News went back to the location in the afternoon but did not observe any kids.
According to the Minnesota Department of Human Services licensing lookup, Creative Minds Daycare LLC is listed as closed as of Oct. 1, 2025, following dozens of violations noted in licensing reviews, according to public records.
State records also show that on the same day Creative Minds Daycare LLC was listed as closed, a new provider — Super Kids Daycare Center LLC — was formed at the exact same address.
High-risk programs and suspected fraud
The Minnesota Department of Human Services has acknowledged autism services and adult day care programs as high-risk areas. New adult day care licenses remain paused, and investigations into autism providers are ongoing.
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) told Alpha News last month that it has 85 open investigations of EIDBI autism providers. DHS labeled EIDBI a “high-risk” provider type earlier this year.
As for licensing, DHS says as a result of the 2025 legislative session, the state will begin issuing provisional licenses for EIDBI programs in 2026, and comprehensive licensing standards for EIDBI services will be proposed to the 2027 legislature.
DHS urges anyone with information about suspected Medicaid fraud to contact its Office of Inspector General at (651) 431-2650 or submit a report online.
Alpha News will continue requesting records from state agencies and following up on tips related to autism services, adult day care and Medicaid-funded programs as Minnesotans continue to ask the same question: where are the people who are allegedly being provided services?
Be sure to follow Alpha News’ coverage of fraud in Minnesota.
Jenna Gloeb
Jenna Gloeb is an Edward R. Murrow Award-winning journalist, media producer, public speaker, and screenwriter. Most recently, she worked as a reporter and on-air host for CCX Media. Jenna is a Minnesota native and resides in the Twin Cities with her husband, son, daughter, and two dogs.
Liz Collin
Liz Collin is a multi-Emmy-Award-winning investigative reporter, news anchor, and producer who cares about Minnesota. She is the producer of The Fall of Minneapolis and Minnesota v We the People documentary films, and author of the Amazon best-selling book, They’re Lying: The Media, the Left, and The Death of George Floyd. Her work has prompted important state laws. Yet perhaps most of all, Liz has been giving a voice to the truth—and helping others tell their stories—for more than 20 years.
