Minneapolis Woman Accused of Stealing $14 Million in Autism Funds

MINNEAPOLIS – Asha Farhan Hassan, 28, is facing federal wire fraud charges for her alleged role in a brazen $14 million scheme to defraud Minnesota’s Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention (EIDBI) autism program. Hassan was also previously connected to the massive Feeding Our Future fraud, through which she illicitly obtained $465,000.

Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson didn’t mince words when announcing the charges. “Today’s charges mark the first in the ongoing investigation into fraud in the EIDBI Autism Program,” Thompson stated. “To be clear, this is not an isolated scheme. From Feeding Our Future to Housing Stabilization Services and now Autism Services, these massive fraud schemes form a web that has stolen billions of dollars in taxpayer money. Each case we bring exposes another strand of this network. The challenge is immense, but our work continues.”

The EIDBI program, funded by Minnesota taxpayers, is designed to provide medically necessary services to children under 21 diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, a crucial component, involves one-on-one behavioral therapy intended to improve social and emotional skills. Eligibility requires a diagnosis, a comprehensive evaluation, and enrollment in a qualifying healthcare program like Medicaid. The scheme allegedly exploited this system, billing for services never rendered or provided by unqualified individuals.

According to federal investigators, from November 2019 through December 2024, Hassan and her associates established Smart Therapy LLC. While Hassan registered herself as the sole owner, authorities claim others held undisclosed ownership stakes, including one individual previously barred from operating an adult daycare due to prior misconduct. Smart Therapy enrolled as an EIDBI provider and also linked up with Feeding Our Future. The company claimed to deliver essential ABA therapy, but the reality, prosecutors allege, was far different.

The indictment details that Smart Therapy allegedly employed unqualified “behavioral technicians” – often teenagers with only high school diplomas and no specialized training in autism treatment. Hassan and her partners actively recruited children from the Somali community, even in cases where a formal autism diagnosis or individual treatment plan was lacking. The operation appears to have been built on exploiting vulnerable families and a system lacking sufficient oversight.

The investigation is ongoing, with authorities vowing to untangle the complex network of fraud schemes plaguing Minnesota’s social service programs. This case, the first directly linked to EIDBI fraud, signals a broader crackdown on individuals exploiting programs intended to support those most in need. Hassan’s next court date has not yet been announced, but she faces significant penalties if convicted of wire fraud. Grimy Times will continue to follow this developing story.

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