Dear Neighbors,
Media outlets across the state are reporting that at least two autism centers in Minneapolis and St. Cloud were raided and searched by the FBI early Thursday morning. These searches are in connection to an investigation related to the state-funded Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention (EIDBI) healthcare program that serves people under 21 with autism spectrum disorder.
Some of you may have heard about investigations into this program that came to light earlier this summer. With the searches and raids on Thursday morning, it’s clear that federal investigators are getting closer to bringing formal charges against individuals allegedly engaged in widespread fraud.
Here in Minnesota, the number of autism providers has increased 700% in the past five years, accompanied by a 3,000% increase in funding for those services, including $400 million in 2023 and 2024, according to Thursday's search warrant. Federal investigators say they found "substantial evidence" providers submitted fraudulent claims for services not provided or covered by the program—which is almost certainly a huge factor in this morning’s raids.
Additionally, the warrant shows at least twelve people charged in the Feeding Our Future case owned, received money from, or were associated with autism centers that got state funding for providing services.
In July, Gov. Walz said that he was “not aware” of the FBI investigation and seemed unaware of allegations of fraud in Minnesota’s autism program.
Today’s news is the latest example in a long line of documented cases of waste, fraud, and abuse in public programs followed by the Walz Administration’s unwillingness to do anything to stop it. Even if they do get around to addressing it, it’s only after weeks or months have passed, meaning that fraudsters almost always have time to get away with substantial money with little to no recourse for recovering the funds.
These raids follow another report from the Office of the Legislative Auditor that found the Department of Human Services has not attempted to recover substantial overpayments totaling more than $40 million to Medical Assistance providers and has not accurately reported its accounts receivable balance to Minnesota Management and Budget for inclusion in the state’s financial statements since 2019.
These two reports, published back-to-back in the same week, underscore how widespread waste, fraud, and abuse really are.
While you and your family struggle to make ends meet, to pay for the rising costs of everyday goods and services, Democrats in St. Paul, chief among them Gov. Walz, continue to turn a blind eye or seem disinterested in making sure your hard-earned tax dollars are spent wisely. Instead, Minnesota taxpayers continue to struggle while criminals steal your money and take advantage of your goodwill.
House Republicans are ready to get to work this legislative session to put an end to the madness and restore accountability in government.
Staying in Touch
As always, please communicate to me any thoughts, questions, or concerns you may have. Please never hesitate to reach out to me whether it’s via phone or email. I can be reached at 651-296-4293 or via email at rep.mike.wiener@house.mn.gov. It would be an honor to speak with you.
Until next time, have a great weekend,
Mike