Several federal officials were in St. Cloud Friday afternoon to announce a fraud initiative, according to the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
Officials said the announcement was part of the Trump administration’s “War on Fraud” and with the vice president’s fraud task force.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent lead the press conference. Other top federal officials joined, including FBI Director Kash Patel, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz and Federal Trade Commission Chairman Andrew Ferguson.
Friday’s announcement comes just one day after federal agents and local law enforcement raided multiple Minnesota sites.
RELATED: Multiple Minnesota sites raided by federal and local law enforcement
5 EYEWITNESS NEWS saw federal agents at autism centers in St. Louis Park and Edina. In southern Minnesota, Rochester police confirmed they helped the FBI execute multiple “pre-planned” search warrants.
Patel said local and federal law enforcement executed 17 search warrants Thursday, including three at child care centers. The searches led to 26 indictments and four arrests, according to federal officials.
RELATED: JD Vance cancels trip to St. Cloud on Friday, press conference will proceed with new speaker lineup
Patel said those include:
Feisal Elmi, Aspen Associates, with 11 counts of health care fraud involving $8 million in intended losses.Jama Mohamod, American Home Health Care, with six counts of health care fraud involving $3.27 million in intended losses.Faiza Ahmed, Home Sweet Home, with eight counts of health care fraud involving $10 million in intended losses.Habiba Mohamed, Smart Therapy, with one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States involving nearly $20 million in intended losses.
Vice President JD Vance was also scheduled to visit St. Cloud Friday, but he canceled his appearance on Thursday night.
Federal officials to visit St. Cloud
According to ABC News, a source familiar with the matter said a “scheduling change” is the reason Vance will not attend.
This is a developing story; check back for updates in the KSTP app below.
