An autism center associated with Nimco Ahmed, a longtime friend of Minnesota Democratic Senate candidate Peggy Flanagan, is under investigation for fraud, leading to intense criticism of Flanagan online. The Milestone Development Center, operated by Ahmed, is being examined along with the Spectrum Therapy Center, as confirmed by the Minnesota Department of Human Services to Fox News Digital. A DHS spokesperson stated, “These agencies are on our radar.”
The Minnesota Department of Human Services has initiated investigations into both Spectrum Therapy Center and Milestone Development Centers. Due to legal restrictions, they cannot disclose specific details about the ongoing investigations. However, DHS noted that both agencies were removed from participating in the Medicaid program months ago during the Minnesota Revalidate 2026 process, which checks agency credentials and compliance with state and federal regulations. Both providers have appealed their termination.
Ahmed, the CEO of Milestone, appeared in a viral video broadcast via Somali TV amid a significant fraud scandal impacting the local Somali community. Flanagan, in the video, emphasized that “The Somali community is part of the fabric of the state of Minnesota.” Ahmed, born in Somalia, has been active in Minnesota’s Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party for nearly 25 years and is a close associate of Flanagan.
Fox News Digital sought comments from Flanagan’s campaign without receiving a response. Criticism of Flanagan emerged as news of the fraud investigation spread, questioning her actions regarding the scandal throughout her tenure as lieutenant governor since 2019.
Nimco Ahmed, who stood alongside Peggy Flanagan wearing a hijab, runs an autism center that is now under investigation,” Townhall columnist Dustin Grage posted on X.
Former Milestone therapist Grant Morgan, who worked at the center for a couple of months in late 2023, reported several concerns to Alpha News. Morgan claimed a lack of supervision by Qualified Supervising Professionals or Board Certified Behavior Analysts, insufficient session documentation, and ineffective treatments at the center. He also suggested that some clients may not be autistic and pointed to potential billing fraud issues, although he was not directly involved in billing practices.
Alpha News communicated with Ahmed, who called allegations about her center “bias” and argued they were pursued due to her Somali heritage. Ahmed denied claims of lacking appropriate oversight and maintained that all children diagnosed with autism received required care, asserting compliance with state requirements and regular audits at Milestone.