Department of Justice officials announced charges Thursday against 15 accused fraudsters in Minnesota — including those involved in the “largest autism fraud scheme ever.”
The $90 million bust involved “brazen schemes” bilking taxpayers for bogus diagnoses and health care services, Assistant Attorney General for the National Fraud Enforcement Division Colin McDonald and other Trump administration officials said during a press conference.
“The common theme throughout these cases is fraudsters exploiting vulnerable programs and vulnerable people to enrich themselves, no matter the consequences to the programs or to the people,” McDonald said.
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“One patient was supposed to be receiving 24-hour care through this program, but he was actually being serviced by a fraudster and received no services. This patient was later found dead,” he added.
Two other defendants perpetrated a $22 million scheme meant for disabled persons in the state but who were “instead used like lottery tickets by these defendants to generate millions of dollars,” McDonald also said.
The ill-gotten proceeds were spent on luxury real estate, vehicles and expensive jewelry.
“My message to the fraudsters is this: Eat, drink and be merry today because your days of frolicking and freedom are numbered,” McDonald declared.
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