Convicted fraudster fights Minnesota over seized bank account

Hinzugefügt: 2026-05-19

[00:00:01][music] >> Here's the deal. Ahmed and Noor pleaded guilty to two counts of aiding and abetting theft by swindle in a nearly $10 million Medicaid fraud scheme.

[00:00:16]He was sentenced to 180 days in the Hennepin County Workhouse and he and nearly a dozen other co-defendants were ordered to pay back some $2.3 million in restitution. On behalf of the defendant Ahmed Noor, who appears personally to our right. The Fox 9 investigators are following the money stolen from Medicaid. And it led us to this Hennepin County courtroom. I think it's only fair and equitable to make sure there's a full accounting of whatever that amount is. Prosecutors tried to seize money from Noor's bank accounts to pay off his debts. Every dollar in the Medicaid program is intended to support real care for real people and every dollar that is stolen through fraud is one less dollar that can be used to provide legitimate care. Assistant Attorney General Kristy Nielsen successfully argued to seize more than a million dollars from Noor's personal bank account last month. And I can do the math. I'm just pointing out that today I have ordered $1.2 million, over $1.2 million released to the victims.

[00:01:20]Thank you.

[00:01:20]>> Which I think is a step forward.

[00:01:22]A substantial step forward. Noor and his co-defendants still owe more than a million dollars in restitution after he was convicted of Medicaid fraud last year. In the interest of justice, it's patently unfair to just right out of the gate make Mr. Noor pay 81% of the restitution when the others and and relieving the others of substantial burdens. His attorney, Eric Nelson, says taking any additional cash from Noor would quote "Smack of unfairness."

[00:01:55]Arguing other defendants quote "Actively moved or worked to hide their assets he said Noor's corporate bank account containing more than $650,000 should be off-limits. For all intents and purposes it was a clean corporation.

[00:02:11]That corporation AAA A to Z friendly languages Inc. provided interpreter services to patients who struggle with the English language during their medical appointments. Noor owns the business and ran it out of an office in this East Franklin Avenue building.

[00:02:27]There were four years of legitimate fraud-free business dealings that were going on. These court records reviewed by the Fox 9 investigators show Noor's company was repeatedly named in separate Medicaid fraud schemes.

[00:02:41]Several of A to Z's contracted interpreters were eventually charged with billing Medicaid for fraudulent or phantom services including this woman Nazro Takal who is currently awaiting sentencing.

[00:02:54]In one filing Noor allegedly told investigators the company only verified interpreter logs about 10% of the time despite claiming tens of thousands of dollars in reimbursements. But A to Z has not been convicted of a felony which state statute says may prevent prosecutors from seizing money in Noor's corporate account. The corporation is the owner of that account. The corporation A to A to Z interpreting services was not convicted of a felony.

[00:03:24]I would say that the bank believes that Mr. Noor is the account holder on this.

[00:03:30]There certainly seems to be a nexus between Mr. Noor and the corporation.

[00:03:34]He's the sole shareholder. In the end the judge said he needs to hear more before deciding whether or not the state can drain the A to Z account to pay back the money Noor helped steal from Medicaid. Another hearing now on the calendar for later this month.

[00:03:51]Paul Bloom, Fox 9.