Recent allegations have surfaced regarding Somali officials, particularly Foreign Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali and UN Ambassador Abukar Dahir Osman, who reportedly operated a healthcare company, Progressive Health Care Services Inc., in Cincinnati, Ohio. This situation raises questions about the legitimacy of their dual roles, as Osman managed the healthcare company until 2019 while serving as Somalia's ambassador to the UN since 2017. Osman's previous experience includes a position as a supervisor at the Medicaid Unit in the Franklin County Department of Family Services and a role as Somalia's Minister of National Security.

The Republic of Somaliland noted that Osman entered the U.S. as a refugee in 1986, claiming asylum due to persecution under Somalia's Siad Barre regime. He has publicly stated that his clan, the Isaaq, was not subjected to genocide during a UN Security Council meeting in December 2025. Foreign Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali has a background in the private sector, having founded a healthcare enterprise with a multimillion-dollar budget and previously served as CEO of a medical transport company in Toledo, Ohio.

These developments prompt inquiries into the connections between Somali officials in the U.S. and the Somali government, particularly in light of previous associations with U.S. Congresswoman Ilhan Omar. If substantiated, these allegations could imply that Somali government officials are profiting from U.S. healthcare operations, raising ethical concerns about governance and accountability.

In late December 2025, reports emerged concerning a fraud scandal linked to the Somali community in Minnesota, coinciding with Somalia's presidency of the U.N. Security Council for January 2026. Abukar Dahir Osman’s ties to healthcare companies in Ohio have raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest and corruption. Additionally, Ali's business partner, Abdul Surey, is associated with Dahabshiil, a money transfer company scrutinized for alleged connections to financing terrorism, particularly the Somali group al-Shabaab.

In Washington state, Attorney General Nick Brown has expressed concerns about the treatment of independent journalists investigating Somali daycare facilities. Reports indicate that Somali-run daycares, such as Dhagash Childcare, received significant state funding, leading to allegations of fraud that could amount to as high as $9 billion. Critics argue that the focus on protecting narratives surrounding these investigations may overshadow the serious allegations of fraud, potentially diverting funds from legitimate childcare services.

The Minnesota Attorney General and Hennepin County Attorney have indicated intentions to prosecute journalists investigating these claims, raising concerns about prioritizing narrative control over accountability. This situation has led to broader discussions about the implications of such investigations on community relations and the need for equitable access to resources for all families, regardless of their background. The involvement of organizations like the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) highlights the complexities surrounding these allegations and the responses from various stakeholders.