Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan is facing uncomfortable scrutiny as an autism treatment fraud investigation reaches a center operated by one of her longtime friends.

Flanagan serves alongside Gov. Tim Walz and is now running for the Senate, as reported by Red State.

That friend is Nimco Ahmed, a member of Minneapolis’s Somali community and the operator of Milestone Development Center. The center says it provides care for children with autism.

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Flanagan has said that she and Ahmed have been “friends for almost 25 years.”

EXCLUSIVE: Former therapist slams 'fraudulent autism centers' in Minnesota, including one run by Flanagan's 'friend'

Peggy Flanagan said she's been "friends for almost 25 years" with Nimco Ahmed. Now, DHS confirms an autism center operated by Ahmed is under investigation as a… pic.twitter.com/uwDSSIcYb8 — Alpha News (@AlphaNews) September 18, 2026

That relationship is drawing fresh attention because DHS has confirmed that an autism center operated by Ahmed is under investigation.

Former autism therapist Grant Morgan has accused Milestone and another facility, Spectrum Therapy Center, of fraudulent billing and inadequate services.

Morgan previously worked at both centers through Minnesota’s Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention program.

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The amount Minnesota spends on autism centers of this kind has surged from $6 million in 2018 to $343 million in 2024.

Morgan acknowledged that part of the spending increase reflects legitimate growth in access to treatment.

According to Morgan, some patients who would now qualify for services were not receiving them in 2017 and 2018. Still, he said that expansion does not explain the entire increase.

Morgan put his estimate bluntly: “I do believe a large portion of that is legitimate, but I do believe a lot of that is fraudulent, too. But I would not be surprised if half of that is fraudulent.”

He also described what he said he witnessed while employed at the centers.

His account raises serious questions about professional supervision and the quality of treatment being billed through the program.

“At both Milestone and Spectrum, I noticed a lack of oversight and a low quality of services. At Milestone, for example, I did not see a QSP (Qualified Supervising Professional) or a BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst) at all when I worked there, and it’s critical that you have a professional overseeing these services.”

Morgan said he documented his concerns before leaving Milestone. He pointed to communications dating back to 2023 that addressed both the clients and his suspicions about the center’s operations.

“I actually have an email conversation from 2023 stating that I did not believe their clients appeared to be autistic, and I also have a text message conversation from around that time telling someone that I was planning to leave that center because I had concerns related to fraud and that the owner, Nimco, didn't seem to care,” Morgan said.

Ahmed denied the allegations. She also told Alpha News that merely asking questions about the care provided at her autism center was “bias.”

Flanagan’s connection to Ahmed is neither distant nor newly discovered.

Their friendship has been publicly displayed, including an appearance in which Flanagan stood alongside Ahmed while wearing a hijab and discussing their long relationship.

🚨 BREAKING: Nimco Ahmed, who stood alongside Peggy Flanagan wearing a hijab, runs an autism center that is now under investigation. You can’t make this stuff up. pic.twitter.com/BhQ0PtqyuQ

— Dustin Grage (@GrageDustin) September 18, 2026

DHS is currently investigating the centers for possible fraudulent billing, and other similar Minnesota centers have already faced action.

The operators remain entitled to due process as that investigation proceeds.

The political problem for Flanagan is obvious.

A sitting lieutenant governor who is seeking a Senate seat has repeatedly highlighted her friendship with the operator of a center now facing an official investigation and public accusations from a former employee.

Morgan’s interview also included a striking exchange about his decision to speak publicly only after leaving Minnesota.

Liz Collin told him that she knew he had left the state and finally felt safe enough to tell his story publicly for the first time.

Morgan responded, “Thank you, Liz, thanks for having me.”

The exchange leaves the unmistakable impression that Morgan did not feel comfortable coming forward while he remained in Minnesota, adding another troubling layer to an already serious matter.

The DHS investigation will determine what evidence supports the allegations against the centers.

Meanwhile, Minnesota voters evaluating Flanagan’s Senate campaign now have another relationship, another investigation, and a staggering growth in autism program spending to consider.

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