Asha Farhan Hassan also admitted involvement in a $465,000 child nutrition fraud scheme, according to federal authorities
Fauzia J. Choudhury:
— Asha Farhan Hassan, 28, has pleaded guilty in a federal fraud case involving more than $14 million in reimbursements for autism-related services and a separate scheme involving approximately $465,000 in federal child nutrition funds, authorities announced.
According to federal authorities, Hassan operated Smart Therapy LLC, a Minneapolis-based company that received more than $14 million in reimbursements for autism services from the Minnesota Department of Human Services and UCare between November 2019 and December 2024.
Prosecutors alleged that the scheme involved fraudulent billing for services that were not actually provided, along with false or misleading information concerning service delivery, provider qualifications and approvals.
The case also involved the federal child nutrition program at the center of the “Feeding Our Future” fraud investigation. According to prosecutors, Smart Therapy claimed to serve hundreds of meals daily, with the reported total eventually reaching as many as 1,200 meals per day, seven days a week.
Investigators said the company claimed nearly 200,000 meals during 2020 and 2021 and sought approximately $465,000 in federal child nutrition funds.
Federal authorities identified Hassan’s involvement in both matters when announcing her guilty plea on December 18, 2025. She pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud in connection with the autism services fraud scheme. Authorities also described her role in the child nutrition fraud scheme as part of the case.
The case has raised concerns about oversight of government-funded healthcare and food assistance programs. Such programs are intended to support vulnerable children and families, making accountability and proper monitoring essential to ensuring that public funds reach their intended beneficiaries.
As of the federal announcement on December 18, 2025, Hassan’s sentencing had not yet been scheduled.
Source: Information released by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Internal Revenue Service.
