MINNEAPOLIS — A Minnesota suspect accused in a multimillion-dollar Medicaid fraud scheme was captured Thursday after federal authorities say he jumped from a fourth-floor balcony to escape FBI agents trying to arrest him.
Muhammad Abdulqadir Omar (pictured at top after his jump, according to the FBI), 32, of Roseville, Minnesota, was one of 15 defendants charged in a sweeping federal fraud takedown involving more than $90 million in alleged fraud tied to Minnesota taxpayer-funded programs.
Federal officials say Omar was charged by indictment with one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and four counts of health care fraud. Fox News reported, citing the Department of Justice, that Omar is an illegal immigrant who entered the United States illegally during the Obama administration.
According to federal authorities, FBI agents attempted to arrest Omar Thursday morning ahead of a news conference announcing the charges. Officials said Omar fled by leaping from a fourth-floor balcony and running from the scene. The FBI later announced he had been captured within hours.
Omar is accused of working with Ibrahim Bashir Abdi, 25, of Minneapolis, in a fraud scheme involving Minnesota’s Housing Stabilization Services program, a Medicaid-funded program intended to help people with disabilities and other eligible residents find and keep housing.
Federal prosecutors allege Omar and Abdi co-owned and operated North Home Health Care LLC, while Omar separately owned South Home Health Care LLC. Authorities say the companies submitted false and inflated claims for services that were not provided, or for more services than were actually provided.
According to federal case summaries, Omar and Abdi are accused of submitting about $3.3 million in fraudulent claims through the Housing Stabilization Services program, with about $3.2 million paid. FOX 9 reported authorities also alleged Omar received another $480,000 through South Home Health Care claims.
Investigators allege the men created false records to justify the claims. Authorities also alleged some claims were tied to recipients who were hospitalized or deceased, and that some proceeds were sent overseas to buy property in Kenya.
The Omar case is part of a broader federal crackdown in Minnesota involving alleged fraud across seven Medicaid-related and benefit programs. Federal officials said the cases include Housing Stabilization Services, autism services, Integrated Community Support and Individualized Home Supports.
During Thursday’s announcement, federal health officials criticized Minnesota’s oversight of rapidly expanding programs during and after the pandemic. Officials pointed to dramatic spending increases in some programs, including one that reportedly rose from $38.1 million in 2020 to $442 million.
Federal officials stressed that the charges are allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Oh no. Another Muslim in trouble. Love it.