Minnesota judge slammed for overturning conviction of pair involved in Medicaid fraud

WASHINGTON (TNND) — A judge in Minnesota is currently facing backlash for overturning a conviction of over $7 million of a couple who were found guilty of misusing Medicaid funds to fund a rich lifestyle.

Abdifatah Yusuf, 44, was charged last year and found guilty in August 2025 after he and his wife faced allegations of stealing millions of dollars from the Medicaid Program and Minnesota, according to The New York Post.

While Yusef and his wife were stealing from the program, they were also operating a healthcare business from their house.

“While Yusuf operated Promise, the agency stole over $7 million,” the attorney general’s office said in a press release.

“MFCU investigators determined that Yusuf frequently used the money stolen from the Medicaid program to fund a lavish lifestyle for himself and his family, including directing over $1 million from the Promise business account into Yusuf’s personal account and withdrawing over $387,000 in cash.”

Judge Sarah West overturned Yusuf’s conviction last month, according to local media.

Jurors who were chosen for the case were shocked by West’s decision.

“I am shocked,” jury foreperson Ben Walfoort told KARE 11 News.

“I’m shocked based off of all of the evidence that was presented to us and the obvious guilt that we saw based off of the said evidence.”

Yusuf’s attorney told KARE 11 News that that his client was innocent and the overturning of the conviction shows that.

“The Court’s decision to enter judgments of acquittal on all charges reflects the fundamental principle that justice requires both fairness and proof,” he said in a statement to the outlet. “We appreciate the Court’s careful attention to the evidence and the law.”