Minnesota’s Department of Human Services has now provided payment totals showing that just three care providers — which seemed largely empty when Alpha News visited — collectively received more than $12.3 million in state funds, far more than public records showed at the time of the initial reporting.
Alpha News submitted a data request in December seeking total state payouts to Ausome Development Center Inc. and adult day care providers Amni Corporation and Taaj Daycare Center Inc., but DHS could not provide the figures before Alpha News’ initial report.
So Alpha News relied on payment data available through the state’s TransparencyMN website, which shows state disbursements but does not always reflect complete or current totals available in DHS systems.
Ausome Development Center
Alpha News previously reported that Ausome Development Center Inc., an autism services provider in Edina, had received at least $2.5 million in recent years. However, newly released DHS figures show the provider has received nearly double that amount — $4.8 million — in total state payments.
Alpha News visited the facility after receiving a tip that “no children are ever seen” at the site, despite it being described as a children’s autism center. During the visit, reporters observed no children on the premises.
Inside, three adult employees were present and appeared defensive when asked about services offered. Reporters were asked to leave and did so, after which police were called. As Alpha News journalists walked to their vehicle, a BMW with tinted windows followed them through the parking lot.
Afterward, CEO Gulled Faisal Hodleh sent Alpha News a no-trespass letter barring Alpha News journalists from its property and warning that “Edina Police Department will be called to arrest you” should they return.
The letter did not dispute any facts reported by Alpha News.
Amni Adult Day Center
Alpha News reporters also visited Amni Corp., also known as Amni Adult Day Center in St. Anthony, where public records list Faisa Jama as the authorized agent.
The center was previously shown to have received about $1.1 million in state payments. However, DHS now reports the total is more than $3.8 million.
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.
As of publication, the Amni Corporation website was listed as “temporarily not available.”
Taaj Daycare Center
Taaj Daycare Center Inc. in Minneapolis, operated by Abdullahi Ali Musse, according to state records, appeared to have received roughly $794,000 based on partial public data. But newly-released DHS figures show the provider has actually received about $3.7 million in total state payments.
When Alpha News visited Taaj, many of the windows were covered. A woman who answered the door told reporters the center was full and had no openings.
A 2025 correction order found Taaj failed to meet basic adult day care requirements across participant care, record-keeping, staff training, services and facility safety, and warned the operator to correct the deficiencies or face sanctions.
Alpha News has also reported that a person with the same name and address as Taaj’s operator is listed as the CEO of Metro Learning Center Inc., a daycare that participated in a federal food program sponsored by Partners in Quality Care — an organization that was co-founded by the ringleader of the Feeding Our Future scandal. No criminal charges have been filed in connection with Partners in Quality Care.
High-risk programs
DHS has acknowledged autism services and adult day care programs as high-risk areas for fraud and abuse.
According to the state’s licensing website, DHS implemented a temporary licensing moratorium for adult day centers beginning Feb. 1. The moratorium is expected to last 24 months, through Jan. 31, 2028.
During that time, DHS will stop accepting new adult day care license applications and cancel all applications currently in the queue.
DHS encourages anyone with information about suspected Medicaid fraud or abuse to contact its Office of Inspector General at (651) 431-2650 or submit a report online.
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.
