Medicaid Scandal Triggers Calls for State Action

Medicare card glasses pen money on wooden table

Maine’s Somali community faces intensifying scrutiny as federal investigators probe alleged Medicaid fraud while conservative politicians question the loyalty of Somali-American elected officials ahead of the 2026 gubernatorial race.

Story Overview

House Oversight Committee investigates Gateway Community Services CEO Abdullahi Ali for alleged Medicaid fraud
GOP gubernatorial candidate Bobby Charles questions Rep. Deqa Dhalac’s allegiance based on 2022 interview
Former Lewiston councilor Iman Osman resigned after felony theft charges and residency questions
Federal probe mirrors Minnesota’s $1 billion Somali-linked pandemic relief fraud scheme

Federal Fraud Investigation Targets Somali NGO Leader

House Oversight Committee launched an investigation into Abdullahi Ali, CEO of Gateway Community Services, over allegations of defrauding the U.S. government through Medicaid schemes. Ali recently listed his $1 million Maine mansion for sale amid the federal probe. The investigation parallels Minnesota’s massive $1 billion fraud case involving Somali-linked organizations that exploited pandemic relief programs. Senator Matt Harrington called the alleged fraud “disgusting” and demanded Governor Janet Mills launch a state investigation into taxpayer abuse.

Conservative Politicians Challenge Somali Officials’ Loyalties

Bobby Charles, a GOP gubernatorial candidate and former Naval officer, has made questioning Somali-American politicians’ allegiance central to his 2026 campaign. Charles targets State Representative Deqa Dhalac based on her 2022 ABC interview expressing hopes for Somali democracy, which conservatives reframe as prioritizing Somalia over America. The Maine Wire, a Leonard Leo-backed conservative outlet, has amplified these “America last” narratives since March 2025. End Wokeness and the Department of Homeland Security boosted the controversy on social media, sparking national debate about immigrant loyalty.

Lewiston Council Member Resigns Amid Criminal Charges

Iman Osman resigned from Lewiston’s city council just days after taking office, facing felony theft charges and questions about meeting residency requirements. Osman pleaded not guilty to the charges but stepped down amid mounting pressure from constituents concerned about crime and eligibility issues. Her attorney blamed Trump-era rhetoric for creating “hatred and threats” that forced the resignation. The Lewiston Council voted January 5, 2026, for an independent investigation into Osman’s residency status following her departure.

Threats Target Journalists, Not Politicians

Despite claims of Somali threats against politicians, evidence shows Ali’s clan members posted Somali-language threats against journalists, including doxxing and murder bounties targeting outlets like The Robinson Report. No credible evidence supports the premise that Somalis threatened Maine politicians for immigration assistance. Instead, the pattern shows conservative politicians attacking Somali-Americans while journalists investigating fraud face actual threats. This reversal undermines narratives about immigrant intimidation while highlighting real dangers to press freedom from those opposing scrutiny of potential government fraud.