Minnesota Autism Provider Tied to Flanagan Faces State Investigation

By Andrew Powell (/journals/andrew-powell)

A Minnesota autism treatment center operated by Nimco Ahmed, a longtime friend of Democratic Senate candidate Peggy Flanagan, is facing a state investigation, according to the Minnesota Department of Human Services. DHS confirmed that it has open investigations into both Ahmed’s Milestone Development Center and Spectrum Therapy Center, according to Fox News. The department said it cannot disclose details of ongoing investigations but confirmed that both providers were removed from Minnesota’s Medicaid program several months ago. The Medicaid terminations came as part of Minnesota Revalidate 2026, a process DHS described as a review of whether providers have the required credentials and comply with state and federal regulations. Both organizations have appealed their removal from the program, according to the department. Ahmed’s connection to Flanagan has drawn additional attention because of a video that circulated widely on social media. In the footage, Flanagan, who was then Minnesota’s lieutenant governor and was wearing a hijab, appeared alongside Ahmed during a visit to a Somali market. Flanagan described the Somali community as “part of the fabric of the state of Minnesota” in the video and referred to her relationship with Ahmed. According to reporting by Alpha News, the two women have been friends for nearly 25 years. Questions about Milestone’s operations also came from Grant Morgan, a former therapist who worked at the center for about two months in late 2023. Morgan told Alpha News that he worked directly with clients six days a week and said he did not see a Qualified Supervising Professional or Board Certified Behavior Analyst overseeing the services. Morgan also alleged that some practitioners lacked adequate qualifications and that he was not asked to prepare or sign session notes documenting services. He said he observed what he considered potential billing red flags but was not involved in the center’s billing operations. Ahmed disputed Morgan’s allegations. She told Alpha News that claims about the quality of care were based on “bias,” denied that Milestone lacked QSP or BCBA oversight, said the children treated there had autism diagnoses, and maintained that the center follows state requirements and undergoes regular audits. DHS has not released the details of its investigations, leaving the allegations against the centers unresolved while both providers appeal their Medicaid terminations. Watch the video below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAFtEZFN3VQ