Somalia’s U.N. Diplomat Linked to Fraudulent Health Care Company

On Monday, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) revealed that Somalia’s U.N. ambassador has connections to a U.S.-based health care firm under scrutiny for Medicaid fraud.

In December, Deputy Secretary of Health Jim O’Neill kicked off a nationwide effort to combat fraud, highlighting how Minnesota was allegedly misdirecting millions in taxpayer funds to dubious child care centers. He noted that the department is working to ramp up payments to the federal government. O’Neill confirmed through a post that Abukar Dahir Othman, Somalia’s permanent U.N. representative and current Security Council president, is affiliated with Progressive Healthcare Services, a home health care provider located in Cincinnati.

“I can confirm the public speculation regarding Ambassador Abukar Dahir Othman and his links to Progressive Healthcare Services,” O’Neill stated. “HHS has previously acted against Progressive after a conviction for Medicaid fraud,” he added in his message.

The investigation gained traction following a video by YouTuber Nick Shirley. In his 43-minute clip aired by KSTP-TV, Shirley documented visits to various child care facilities believed to be run by Somalis in Minnesota. Strikingly, these centers appeared empty despite purportedly receiving state support. The Quality ‘Learning’ Center is reported to have accumulated around 95 violations from state agencies between 2019 and 2023.

Several state officials have accused Democratic Governor Tim Walz of retaliating against a whistleblower who raised concerns while federal prosecutors are involved in several ongoing inquiries. They asserted, “Tim Walz is entirely accountable for the significant fraud in Minnesota.” They expressed frustration that when they alerted him about the issues early on, they hoped for cooperation but faced the opposite.

In a later appearance on NBC News’ “Meet the Press” on November 30, Walz remarked that Minnesota “is a magnet for criminals.”