PORTLAND, Maine — Two immigrant-owned business owners in Lewiston are facing federal tax fraud charges, Maine Republicans say, amid renewed calls for stricter oversight of health care payments.
The defendants are Abdifitah Abdi, owner of Momo Interpreters, and Rakiya Mohamed, owner of Reliable Language Resources. Both are accused of participating in a scheme with Mohamed’s mother, a former employee of Bright Future Healthier You, to bill MaineCare for services never performed and for employees who did not exist.
Prosecutors allege the scheme involved tens of thousands of dollars in false deductions and fraudulent claims. Both Abdi and Mohamed have pleaded not guilty. The charges against a third defendant were dropped after her death.
Republican lawmakers, including Assistant House Minority Leader Katrina Smith (R) and Senate Majority Leader Trey Stewart (R), criticized Maine’s Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) for insufficient oversight. “Make them prove that they’ve provided these services,” Smith said. Stewart added, “If you are committing fraud in the state of Maine, you should be held accountable, both federally and at the state level.”
A DHHS spokesperson said the agency takes fraud allegations seriously, conducting surveys, audits, and investigations. Suspected fraud is referred to the Attorney General’s Office.
Democratic leaders, including Senate President Mattie Daughtry and House Speaker Ryan Fecteau, stressed that investigations must be based on evidence rather than political motivations.
If convicted, Abdi and Mohamed could face up to five years in prison and fines totaling $250,000. Attempts to contact the defendants at their offices were unsuccessful.
