Minnesota judge facing backlash for overturning $7.2M taxpayer-fraud conviction linked to supposed extravagant living

A Minnesota judge is under scrutiny after overturning the guilty verdict of a man convicted in a $7.2 million fraud case involving taxpayer funds. Abdifatah Yusuf and his wife, Lul Ahmed, were charged in June 2024 with stealing from the state Medicaid program while operating a home healthcare business without a proper office, functioning instead "for years out of a mailbox," according to the Minnesota Attorney General's Office.

Prosecutors claimed Yusuf received Medicaid payments for services that were never provided and inflated billing for undocumented services. Funds were allegedly used to support a "lavish lifestyle," including purchases at high-end stores such as Coach, Canada Goose, Michael Kors, Nike, and Nordstrom. Over $1 million was reportedly transferred from the business account to Yusuf's personal account, along with more than $387,000 withdrawn in cash.

In August, a jury found Yusuf guilty on six counts of aiding and abetting theft by swindle exceeding $35,000. However, in November, Judge Sarah West overturned the verdict, stating that the case "relied heavily on circumstantial evidence" and that the state had not eliminated other "reasonable inferences." West expressed concern over how the fraud was able to occur at Promise Health.

State Representative Kristin Robbins described her reaction as "stunned" after learning of the overturned verdict. She emphasized the need to strengthen state law to ensure such cases can lead to successful prosecutions, noting the jury had concluded Yusuf was guilty.

Jury foreperson Ben Walfoort said the decision to convict was straightforward and expressed confusion over the judge's reversal. "It was not a difficult decision whatsoever. The deliberation took probably four hours at most. Based on the evidence presented, it was beyond a reasonable doubt," Walfoort stated. Another jury member said the group reached consensus on the verdict easily.

Yusufs attorney, Ian Birrell, praised Judge West's decision, claiming his client was wrongly accused. "Judge West's ruling affirms what we have maintained from the beginning: our client Mr. Yusuf did not commit fraud or racketeering. The court's decision to enter judgments of acquittal reflects the principle that justice requires fairness and proof," Birrell said.

The Minnesota Attorney Generals Office, led by Keith Ellison, has filed an appeal to challenge the decision. Minnesota has faced several large-scale fraud issues in recent years, including the Feeding Our Future scandal, which involved hundreds of millions in misappropriated COVID-19 relief funds.

Separately, former President Donald Trump ended deportation protections for Somalis in Minnesota, citing concerns over gang activity and alleged financial links to the Feeding Our Future fraud scheme.

Representatives for Judge West and Yusufs attorney were contacted for comment. Reporting contributions came from Brie Stimson at Fox News Digital.

Author: Sophia Brooks