Ex-Anoka prosecutor's alleged sex-trafficking ring tied to $2.5M Medicaid fraud; DHS-honored refugee charged over $1M Reva Health billings
Investigators say businesses tied to former Anoka County prosecutor Andrea Sampson and two co-defendants are linked to roughly $2.5 million in potentially fraudulent Medicaid claims for autism services, housing stabilization and assisted living.[1]
The Minnesota Attorney General's Office filed a related Medicaid-fraud case against Salman Ahmed Elmi, alleging Reva Health billed Medicaid for more than $1 million for services that were not provided or not eligible.[2]
Investigators say some houses once used for commercial sex were converted into assisted-living and autism sites now under fraud scrutiny.[1] At least 13 trafficking victims reported being forced to fund online ads and to leave $100 in envelopes at properties in Minneapolis, St. Louis Park and Bloomington, many owned by Sampson.[1]
On Aug. 15 prosecutors charged Andrea Sampson with 26 felony counts in a Hennepin County sex-trafficking probe; she remained held on $1 million bail as the investigation continued.[3] Earlier reporting said some victims described sexual assault, being given alcohol or drugs and being recorded on cameras, and that Sampson worked in Anoka County's civil and family law division.[3] Stephanie Page of the Story Foundation explained trafficking involves "force, fraud or coercion" and that victims may appear to consent without understanding the full situation.[3]
Early local stories centered on Sampson's arrest and her work as an Anoka County prosecutor, raising questions about public trust.[4] Later Fox 9 reporting expanded the probe to allege roughly $2.5 million in questionable Medicaid claims and to name multiple defendants tied to businesses billing for autism, housing stabilization and assisted living.[1] Prosecutors say Salman Ahmed Elmi faces three counts of aiding and abetting by swindle and five counts of aiding and abetting by false representation.[2] They allege Reva Health billed Medicaid for more than $1 million in autism and adult rehabilitative mental-health services that were not provided or not eligible.[2] Prosecutors say staff were directed to pay kickbacks to people in exchange for using their information to submit claims.[2] Elmi had been honored by the Minnesota Department of Human Services in 2021 and used his stake in the Tavolo startup, backed by investor Kevin O'Leary, to obtain financing for Reva Health, prosecutors said.[2]
Show source details & analysis (4 sources)
📌 Key Facts
- Andrea Sampson is charged with 26 separate felony counts in the sex‑trafficking investigation and, as of Saturday, August 15, 2026, remains held on $1 million bail while the probe continues (Andrea Sampson).
- Investigators say at least 13 trafficking victims reported being forced to fund online ads and to leave $100 in envelopes at properties in Minneapolis, St. Louis Park and Bloomington — many owned by Sampson — and some women reported being sexually assaulted, given alcohol or drugs and recorded on cameras (at least 13 trafficking victims).
- Authorities allege some houses used for commercial sex were later converted into assisted‑living and autism sites, and investigators now link businesses owned by Frank Reeves, Viktoriya Komonash and Andrea Sampson to roughly $2.5 million in potentially fraudulent Medicaid claims for autism services, housing stabilization and assisted living (roughly $2.5 million).
- The Minnesota Attorney General’s Office filed a related Medicaid‑fraud case against Salman Ahmed Elmi, who faces three counts of aiding and abetting by swindle and five counts of aiding and abetting by false representation; prosecutors say assisted‑living homes tied to Sampson billed about $1.2 million between 2023 and 2026 (Salman Ahmed Elmi).
- Prosecutors allege Elmi billed Medicaid for more than $1 million through Reva Health in Golden Valley for autism and adult rehabilitative mental‑health services that were not provided or not eligible, and that staff were directed to pay kickbacks to people in exchange for using their information to submit claims (Reva Health).
- Elmi was previously honored in 2021 by the Minnesota Department of Human Services as an “outstanding refugee” and leveraged his ownership stake in the Minneapolis startup Tavolo — an AI restaurant‑marketing app backed by investor Kevin O’Leary — to obtain financing to start Reva Health (Tavolo).
- Prosecutors outline specific organizational roles in the alleged ring: Frank Reeves is accused as the leader, Viktoriya Komonash and a defendant named Thomes are alleged to have run websites, and Andrea Sampson is accused of providing locations and helping build shell companies to hide proceeds (Frank Reeves).
- An expert from the Story Foundation, Stephanie Page, explained that trafficking involves “force, fraud or coercion” and that victims may appear to consent without understanding the full situation, a context officials say is relevant to the allegations against the defendants (Stephanie Page).
📰 Source Timeline (4)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Investigators now link businesses owned by Frank Reeves, Viktoriya Komonash and Andrea Sampson to roughly $2.5 million in potentially fraudulent Medicaid claims for autism services, housing stabilization and assisted living.
- The Attorney General’s Office has filed a related Medicaid fraud case against Salman Elmi, tied to Sampson’s assisted-living homes that billed about $1.2 million between 2023 and 2026.
- Investigators say some houses previously used for commercial sex were later converted into assisted living facilities now under fraud scrutiny.
- Details that at least 13 trafficking victims reported being forced to fund online ads and leave $100 in envelopes at properties in Minneapolis, St. Louis Park and Bloomington, many owned by Sampson.
- Prosecutors outline specific roles: Reeves alleged as leader; Komonash and Thomes running websites; Sampson providing locations and helping build shell companies to hide proceeds.
- Three defendants appeared in court on the new linked allegations and had bail set at $1 million with possible reductions under conditions.
- Identifies defendant by name as Salman Ahmed Elmi and specifies he faces three counts of aiding and abetting by swindle and five counts of aiding and abetting by false representation.
- Reports that Elmi allegedly billed Medicaid for more than $1 million through Reva Health in Golden Valley for autism and adult rehabilitative mental health services that were not provided or not eligible.
- Details that staff were allegedly directed to pay kickbacks to people in exchange for using their information to submit claims.
- Reveals Elmi was previously honored in 2021 by the Minnesota Department of Human Services as an “outstanding refugee” and received a DHS Entrepreneurship Award.
- Notes that Elmi leveraged his ownership stake in Minneapolis startup Tavolo, an AI restaurant marketing app backed by ‘Shark Tank’ investor Kevin O’Leary, to obtain financing to start Reva Health.
- Clarifies that two of Elmi’s alleged co-conspirators in the Medicaid fraud case—former Anoka County prosecutor Andrea Sampson and Frank Devone Reeves—are also charged in the connected sex-trafficking ring busted in Hennepin County.
- Confirms Sampson is charged with 26 separate felony counts (earlier piece only said she was charged but did not restate the total in the brief).
- Adds an expert explanation from Stephanie Page of the Story Foundation defining trafficking as involving “force, fraud or coercion,” and noting that victims may appear to consent without understanding the full situation.
- Details additional alleged conduct: some women reported being sexually assaulted, provided alcohol and drugs, and recorded on cameras at some locations.
- Notes that Sampson and co-defendants allegedly also operated assisted-living and autism sites and collected money from those businesses alongside the sex operation.
- Reiterates that Sampson worked in the Anoka County civil and family law division, sharpening the public-trust angle.
- Confirms Sampson remains held on $1 million bail as the investigation continues.