Somalia’s Foreign Minister allegedly operates healthcare companies receiving U.S. Medicaid dollars while simultaneously serving in high-level diplomatic positions, raising explosive questions about conflicts of interest and the exploitation of American taxpayer funds.
Story Snapshot
- Somalia’s Foreign Minister and UN Ambassador allegedly ran Ohio healthcare companies while holding government positions
- Progressive Health Care Services Inc. reportedly operated by current UN Ambassador Abukar Dahir Osman through 2019
- Allegations emerge amid broader Medicaid fraud investigations targeting Somali communities in Ohio and Minnesota
- Republic of Somaliland challenges UN Ambassador’s credibility regarding original refugee asylum claims
- Attorney claims systematic exploitation of Medicaid loopholes nets fraudsters $60,000 per year per individual
Foreign Officials Operating on American Soil
Abdisalam Abdi Ali, Somalia’s Foreign Minister, and Abukar Dahir Osman, Somalia’s UN Ambassador, stand accused of operating healthcare enterprises in Ohio while serving their government. Osman allegedly continued running Progressive Health Care Services Inc. through 2019, according to LinkedIn profiles, while simultaneously representing Somalia at the United Nations since 2017.
The allegations create a troubling picture of foreign officials potentially profiting from American healthcare systems designed to serve vulnerable populations. Osman’s background adds another layer of complexity—he entered the U.S. as a refugee in 1986, claiming persecution under Somalia’s Siad Barre regime, and later worked as a supervisor in Franklin County’s Medicaid Unit, providing him intimate knowledge of the system he allegedly exploited.
The Medicaid Fraud Web Unravels
Attorney Mehek Cooke has blown the whistle on what she describes as systematic Medicaid exploitation by members of the Somali community in Ohio. The scheme allegedly involves fraudsters becoming approved home healthcare providers for family members who don’t require care, pocketing upwards of $60,000 annually per individual. Cooke attributes the fraud’s success to inadequate state safeguards and the absence of proper audits.
Ohio hosts the second-largest Somali community in America, making it a focal point for these investigations. The fraud extends beyond Ohio’s borders—parallel investigations in Minnesota allege dozens of individuals have defrauded state welfare programs of close to a billion dollars. The scope suggests coordinated exploitation rather than isolated incidents.
Credibility Crisis at the United Nations
Osman’s position becomes more precarious when examining his statements at the UN Security Council. On December 29, 2025, the Republic of Somaliland challenged his credibility, pointing out a glaring contradiction: Osman claimed persecution under the Siad Barre regime to gain refugee status, yet later denied Somalia’s genocide against the Isaaq clan—his own ethnic group—during UN proceedings.
This contradiction raises fundamental questions about the authenticity of his original asylum claims and his fitness to represent Somalia on matters of human rights and international justice. The allegations suggest a pattern of opportunistic positioning that prioritizes personal benefit over consistency or truth.
Taxpayer Dollars Funding Foreign Interests
The broader implications extend far beyond individual fraud cases. These allegations expose vulnerabilities in America’s refugee vetting processes and ongoing oversight mechanisms. When foreign government officials maintain private business interests funded by U.S. taxpayers while holding diplomatic positions, the potential for conflicts of interest becomes enormous.
The systematic nature of the alleged fraud demonstrates sophisticated understanding of legal loopholes and bureaucratic weaknesses. Legitimate healthcare providers reportedly face pressure to “rubberstamp” fraudulent claims, corrupting the entire system designed to help Americans in need. Meanwhile, U.S. taxpayers unknowingly fund operations that may ultimately benefit foreign government officials and their associates.
Sources:
Somalia’s Foreign Minister, UN Ambassador Ran Health Care Corps in Ohio
Ohio Attorney Claims Somali Community Exploiting Medicaid Loopholes for Millions
