Ohio attorney and commentator Mehek Cooke has alleged a “massive” Medicaid fraud scheme involving members of the Somali community in Ohio, saying it mirrors the recent scandal in Minnesota. Cooke told Fox News Digital that providers privately reported pressure to participate in fraudulent home healthcare claims, with doctors allegedly “rubber stamping” medical forms that qualify family members for payments of up to $91,000 annually. She said the scheme has persisted for more than a decade.
Cooke claimed individuals are coached to lie about medical conditions and that doctors receive kickbacks for approving false claims. According to her, those who exposed the fraud fear reprisals, saying they could be “stoned to death” if identified. She added that the loopholes in Ohio’s Medicaid program enable widespread abuse, arguing that the system lacks independent assessments, random checks, and adequate oversight.