Minnesotans,
You’ve seen my warnings: From my October 2025 RICO referral to the federal Department of Justice, to the recent Karan Gupta fraud conviction at Optum, I’ve been fighting to uncover the syndicate bleeding our state’s Medicaid program dry. Now, with the heavily redacted Optum “Vulnerability Assessment” report released on February 6, 2026, the cover-up is clearer than ever. Governor Tim Walz handed $2.3 million of your tax dollars to Optum – a UnitedHealth Group subsidiary mired in federal criminal probes – to “audit” 14 high-risk services. The result? A 28-page document blacked out to hide the real extent of $1.7 billion+ in fraud vulnerabilities.
This isn’t oversight; it’s obstruction. Walz’s administration is shielding insiders while billions vanish – often through schemes tied to kickbacks, ghost services, and even alleged terror funding links. As a retired Navy intelligence officer and the whistleblower who exposed the $250 million daycare fraud in 2018, I’m laying it all out here: The evidence, the names behind the redactions, and – most importantly – how you can take action to bust this wide open. No more waiting for politicians; it’s time for the public to demand answers and hold these people accountable.
The Scandal at a Glance: Walz’s Contract and the Redacted Report
Back on October 29, 2025, Walz announced a one-year contract with Optum to scrutinize $9.4 billion in Medicaid claims from 2022-2025 across 14 “high-risk” services. The goal? Flag fraud and pause payments up to 90 days. But Optum was already under DOJ criminal investigation (since summer 2024) for Medicare overbilling, secret kickbacks, and billions in fines nationwide.
The February 6 report reveals:
• $52.3 million in clear violations (e.g., overbilling, undocumented services).
• $1.7 billion in potential fraud from vague policies needing review.
• $165 million in “cost avoidance” from reduced billing post-contract.
• Vulnerabilities in every one of the 14 services, with 813,992 suspicious claim lines from 1,769 providers.
Yet, over 90% is redacted: Detailed risks (12-16 per service), charts, and recommendations – all blacked out under Minnesota’s Government Data Practices Act (Minn. Stat. § 13.37) for “security and trade secrets.” DHS claims it’s to prevent fraudsters from exploiting info, but it conveniently hides the providers and patterns while Optum fulfills the contract.
Uncovering the Hidden Fraud: $9 Billion+ Stolen – Patterns and Specifics
By cross-referencing federal indictments, CMS warnings, GAO reports, and billing trends, we can fill in what Walz doesn’t want you to see. Minnesota’s Medicaid fraud has exploded under his watch – up to $9 billion potential losses since 2018, with schemes concentrated in Somali-American provider networks, lax enrollment, and overseas fund transfers.
The 14 services and deduced redacted details:
• Housing Stabilization Services (HSS – $438K Recoveries): Phantom claims for fake housing support. Indictments (Dec. 2025) hit networks like Empire Home Health ($10M+ fraud – fake bills funneled to luxury purchases). Billing surged 500% post-2022; hidden links to hawala systems (alleged al-Shabaab ties per Treasury probes).
• Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT – $24M Recoveries): Ghost rides and invalid trips. Charges vs. Ride Right LLC ($5M, Jan. 2026) and Access Transportation (tied to Feeding Our Future fraudsters). Matches 2017 federal audit showing $100M waste.
• Personal Care Assistance/Community First Services (PCA/CFSS – Redacted Recoveries): Fake attendants and kickbacks. Probes ($300M+, 2023-2025) nailed Care Providers Inc. ($50M). CMS threatened $2 billion fund freeze over this.
• Early Intensive Developmental Intervention (EIDBI – $8.6M Recoveries): Unqualified staff billing for autism therapy. Charges ($14M, 2025) including Abdinajib Yussuf (wire fraud).
• Adult Rehabilitative Mental Health (ARMHS – 16 Risks Redacted): Overbilled sessions. DOJ takedown (2024, $20M) vs. Healing Minds; 400% billing rise post-COVID.
Recurring issues (deduced from patterns): No real-time checks, self-attestation, impossible billing (e.g., 25+ hours/day). Total charged: 98 defendants (85 Somali descent), 64 convicted. Feeding Our Future alone: $250M stolen, only 1/3 recovered. Terror angle: Funds to al-Shabaab (no direct charges, but indirect flows flagged).
The People Behind the Cover-Up: Names and Conflicts
This didn’t happen in a vacuum. Here’s who to scrutinize – and why their roles scream conflict and potential corruption:
• Governor Tim Walz: Awarded the Optum contract despite warnings; received $10K from UnitedHealth PAC (2024). Blocks full release – at what cost to taxpayers?
• DHS Commissioner Shireen Gandhi: Oversaw redactions; defended them publicly. Appointed by Walz amid scandals – is she protecting donors?
• Former DHS Commissioner Jodi Harpstead: Resigned February 2025; managed initial procurement. Her lax policies enabled the fraud explosion.
• DHS Deputy Commissioner John Connolly: Justified redactions as Medicaid Director; admitted in hearings they’re treating the public (and lawmakers) as outsiders.
• Optum VP Diane Evenson: Signed the report; hid details as “trade secrets” while her firm faces DOJ probes.
• UnitedHealth CEO Andrew Witty: Donor ties to Walz ($10K+ PAC), Klobuchar ($15K), and Smith ($10K). Oversees a company fined billions for similar scams.
• Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith: Pocketed UnitedHealth cash; silent on federal oversight despite Minnesota’s role.
These redactions aren’t protection – they’re obstruction, potentially at Walz’s direction to shield donors and insiders.
How You Can Take Action: Demand Answers and Hold Them Accountable
Minnesotans, this is your money and your state. Don’t wait – here’s how to fight back:
• File Data Practices Requests: Under Minnesota’s Government Data Practices Act, request the unredacted report from DHS (email: data.request@state.mn.us). If denied, appeal to the Office of Administrative Hearings or file a lawsuit in district court. Demand: Provider names, full risks, and emails on redaction decisions.
• Contact Federal Authorities: Tip the FBI Minneapolis Field Office (tips.fbi.gov) with specifics – reference the Gupta conviction and request expansion to RICO. Report to HHS Office of Inspector General (oig.hhs.gov/fraud/report-fraud) for Medicaid violations that could freeze federal funds.
• Reach Out to the U.S. Attorney’s Office: Email usamn.publicaffairs@usdoj.gov to urge criminal probes into Walz’s contract award and redactions.
• FOIA Requests: File with federal CMS (foia.cms.gov) for Minnesota’s noncompliance letters and correspondence on the $2 billion fund freeze threat.
• Support Legislation: Call your representatives to push HF3378 (requiring unredacted release) – track at legislature.mn.gov. Demand amendments for subpoenas and independent audits.
• Public Pressure: Share this article on X (@phillipcparrish, tag @FBIMinneapolis, @TheJusticeDept, @GovTimWalz). Rally friends to contact DHS (651-431-2000) and Walz’s office (651-201-3400) demanding transparency.
• Join or File Lawsuits: As a taxpayer, consider joining suits against DHS for Data Practices violations – consult free legal aid via Minnesota Legal Services or GOP resources.
• Spread the Word: Post on community forums, email local media (e.g., Star Tribune tips@startribune.com), and organize town halls. Use #UnredactOptum to build momentum.
Enough is enough – this syndicate has stolen from families, endangered vulnerable Minnesotans, and eroded trust. By acting now, you can force the truth out and clean house. Stay tuned for more; contact me at phillip@parrish4mn.com if you uncover leads.
In 2026, we take Minnesota back – with integrity and prosperity for all.
Philip C. Parrish
Republican Candidate for Governor of Minnesota
Retired Navy Intelligence Officer | Daycare Fraud Whistleblower | Lifelong Minnesotan
Kasson, MN
phillip@parrish4mn.com | parrish4mn.com
###
Sources: U.S. Department of Justice press releases; FBI Minneapolis announcements; Minnesota DHS reports; federal indictments; FEC donation records; GAO and CMS audits.