FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 28, 2026
Requests seek records showing whether the Secretary of State’s Office reviewed business filings connected to individuals who later became subjects of major fraud investigations
Minnesota — Tad Jude, Republican candidate for Minnesota Secretary of State and former District Court Judge, announced today that he has submitted a series of Minnesota Government Data Practices Act requests seeking records showing whether the Secretary of State Simon conducted internal reviews of business filings connected to individuals whose businesses became associated with significant fraud investigations.
The requests concern Abdirashid Bixi Dool and associated entities; Fowsiya Hassan and associated child-care businesses; and Asha Farhan Hassan and Smart Therapy LLC.
The purpose of the requests is straightforward: Did the Secretary of State Simon or his Office identify or review related business filings after fraud concerns involving these individuals or businesses became known, and if so, what did Secretary Simon and the Office do with that information?
“Minnesotans deserve to know whether warning signs involving business filings were being examined inside the Secretary of State’s Office and what did Secretary Simon do or not do with that information,” Jude said. “We are not assuming what the records will show. That is precisely why we are asking for them.”
Each request seeks records concerning:
- Internal emails, messages, memoranda, meeting notes, and other communications discussing the individuals and associated businesses;
- Any internal review, inquiry, search, or examination of related business filings;
- Communications explaining what prompted any such review and what actions were considered or taken; and
- Communications with other state agencies, law enforcement, or governmental entities concerning the individuals or associated businesses.
One request concerns Abdirashid Bixi Dool, along with Bilaal Mosque, Inc., Multicultural Resource Center, Inc. and other potentially associated entities. Federal prosecutors announced in July that Dool pleaded guilty to wire fraud for his role in the Feeding Our Future scheme. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, fraudulent reimbursement claims were submitted through Bilaal Mosque and Multicultural Resource Center.
A second request concerns Fowsiya Hassan and businesses identified in the request, including Sunshine Child Care Center and Sunlight Child Care Center. Court records state that Hassan owned Sunshine and previously owned Sunlight. Sunshine was among child-care centers searched by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension in August 2022 as part of an investigation. The request does not allege that Hassan was convicted of fraud; rather, it seeks to determine whether the Secretary of State’s Office conducted any related review of business filings.
The third request concerns Asha Farhan Hassan and Smart Therapy LLC. Federal prosecutors charged Hassan in September 2025 with wire fraud in connection with an alleged $14 million autism-services fraud scheme and alleged participation in Feeding Our Future. Federal prosecutors stated that Hassan registered Smart Therapy LLC with the Minnesota Secretary of State in November 2019.
“These cases give us an opportunity to ask an important question,” Jude said. “When another government agency identifies serious suspected fraud involving a business registered in Minnesota, did anyone look out for the Minnesota taxpayer and their hard-earned dollars by raising the red flag internally by looking through the Secretary of State’s business records? Does anyone look for related entities, common organizers, or other connections? Are concerns shared with agencies responsible for protecting taxpayer dollars?”
Jude emphasized that the requests seek existing records rather than asking the Secretary of State to conduct a new investigation.
“The records may show that reviews occurred. They may show referrals or communication with other agencies. They may also show that nothing occurred,” Jude said. “Minnesotans deserve to see the records and understand what systems were in place and if their elected leaders did their duty.”
The Minnesota Secretary of State’s Office maintains Minnesota business-filing information and describes itself as a depository for public data relating to businesses and elections.
Jude said the information obtained through the requests will help inform his proposals for improving communication between the Secretary of State and agencies responsible for licensing, oversight and fraud prevention.
“The Secretary of State should not replace law enforcement or agencies charged with investigating fraud,” Jude said. “But when elected leaders already possess information that could help identify patterns of conduct involving individuals, businesses and public programs, we should understand whether that information is being recognized and appropriately shared. Minnesota needs elected leaders that will protect them from repeated fraudulent activity and protect their hard-earned dollar.”
The Data Practices requests were submitted to the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State on September 28, 2026.
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About Tad Jude
Tad Jude is the Republican nominee for Minnesota Secretary of State and a former District Court Judge. To learn more about Tad Jude visit TadJude.com.
PDF VERSION: Data Practice Press Release Sept 28 2026