Minnesota Autism Center and Connection to Senate Candidate Under Investigation

An autism center tied to Minnesota Democratic Senate candidate Peggy Flanagan is currently undergoing a fraud investigation. Milestone Development Center, operated by Nimco Ahmed, faces scrutiny alongside Spectrum Therapy Center. The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) confirmed these investigations.

A DHS spokesperson mentioned that although ongoing investigations prevent the disclosure of details, the department terminated both centers from Medicaid last year under a credential verification process called Minnesota Revalidate 2026. Both centers appealed the decision.

Ahmed, who is closely linked to Flanagan as a 25-year-long friend and is a noted activist within the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), defended her center’s practices. She emphasized adherence to state requirements and claimed regular audits. She dismissed concerns as biased and attributed them to her Somali heritage.

Former Milestone therapist Grant Morgan reported irregularities during his short tenure. He noted he hadn’t witnessed proper oversight by Qualified Supervising Professionals (QSPs) or Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) and found the staff lacked expertise in applied behavior analysis. Additionally, he wasn’t asked to document sessions, a critical aspect for Medicaid billing, and questioned the authenticity of some autism diagnoses.

Criticism directed at Peggy Flanagan on social media intensified following revelations about the investigation. Many questioned her accountability, given her role as Minnesota’s lieutenant governor since 2019. The controversy coincides with Flanagan’s campaign efforts in the upcoming Senate race.

Despite requests, further comments from Flanagan’s campaign remain pending. Ahmed denied the accusations, asserting compliance with state regulations and stressing the legitimacy of their client diagnoses.