Whistleblower Uncovers Decade-Long Medicaid Fraud in Ohio’s Somali Community
COLUMBUS, Ohio — On the heels of a sprawling Medicaid fraud scandal unfolding in Minnesota, a whistleblower has come forward to reveal a similarly extensive scheme within Ohio’s Somali community that has reportedly siphoned millions of taxpayer dollars over the past decade. Mehek Cooke, an Ohio attorney and political commentator, described the fraud as “massive,” involving fraudulent home healthcare claims and collusion among healthcare providers and doctors.
Cooke told Fox News Digital that what has come to light in Minnesota is merely “the tip of the spear,” with Ohio’s Medicaid program being exploited through a loophole that allows individuals to receive payments for providing care to family members—even when such care is unnecessary or fabricated. According to Cooke, some Medicaid recipients are receiving as much as $91,000 annually for supposed home healthcare services.
“Providers within the Ohio Somali community have confided to me that they have been pressured to participate in this scheme,” Cooke explained. “Doctors are rubberstamping home healthcare payouts for fake medical conditions, and in return, they receive kickbacks.” She added that the fraudsters often portray elderly patients as bedridden, yet these same individuals are frequently seen active on social media, casting doubt on the legitimacy of their medical status.
The scheme reportedly hinges on a Medicaid provision that permits family members to become home health aides for elderly relatives, receiving substantial payments for care. Cooke noted that the Somali community has been “clever” in exploiting this system, finding legal loopholes that allow for the billing of unnecessary services. “The problem is not the community itself but the criminals within it who are abusing Ohio’s Medicaid program,” she said.
Ohio’s Medicaid program, one of the largest in the Midwest, has faced criticism for its vulnerability to fraud. The state’s lax oversight and complex regulations have created opportunities for exploitation, as highlighted by this whistleblower’s revelations. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) emphasize the importance of state-level vigilance in preventing fraud, but Cooke’s account suggests significant gaps remain.
These allegations come amid ongoing investigations into a massive social services fraud scandal in Minnesota, where authorities uncovered widespread abuse of Medicaid and other public assistance programs. The Minnesota case has drawn national attention, prompting calls for tighter controls and more rigorous enforcement. The Office of Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services has been actively involved in probing such fraud schemes.
Cooke revealed that some healthcare providers who spoke with her did so at great personal risk, fearing retaliation within their community. “They told me they would be ‘stoned to death’ if exposed,” she said. This climate of intimidation complicates efforts to root out fraud and protect vulnerable populations.
Ohio lawmakers have yet to respond publicly to these new allegations, but the state’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, part of the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, is tasked with investigating and prosecuting such abuses. Enhanced cooperation between state and federal agencies may be necessary to dismantle these entrenched fraud networks.
As the investigation into Minnesota’s scandal continues, the spotlight now turns to Ohio, where similar patterns of Medicaid abuse threaten the integrity of public health programs. The revelations underscore the need for comprehensive reforms to safeguard taxpayer funds and ensure that Medicaid serves its intended purpose of supporting genuine medical needs.
For more information on Medicaid fraud prevention efforts, visit the HHS Office of Inspector General’s fraud page.
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