Maine taxpayers may have been defrauded out of millions of dollars through the state’s Medicaid program, according to a whistleblower who says the scheme mirrors the massive Minnesota welfare scandal that drained an estimated $1 billion from programs meant to serve vulnerable Americans.
Christopher Bernardini, a former billing coordinator at Gateway Community Services, claims the Maine-based health services contractor systematically billed MaineCare for services that were never provided
Bernardini worked at Gateway from May 2018 until April 2025 and describes himself as a “billing guru” responsible for tracking services delivered to low-income and disabled clients.
In an exclusive interview with NewsNation, Bernardini said Gateway maintained false records showing staff visits that never occurred, allowing the company to bill taxpayers for phantom care.
He alleges an electronic monitoring system designed to track employee movements was manipulated to create the appearance that workers visited clients’ homes, even when staff were nowhere near the locations.
“They charged taxpayers for services that were never performed,” Bernardini said.
“I thought we were helping people. I thought everything was on the up-and-up,” he said. “I have a passion for helping people, and I believed we were doing the right thing.”
That belief, Bernardini said, collapsed as complaints from clients mounted and internal pressure grew to bill regardless of whether services were delivered.
“When clients called and said staff never showed up, I was told to bill the hours anyway,” he said. “It just got worse and worse.”
Bernardini’s allegations have sparked outrage in conservative circles across Maine, with Republican lawmakers demanding investigations into what they say is systemic abuse of taxpayer-funded welfare programs.
State Sen. Matt Harrington, a Republican, said the situation represents a serious failure of oversight by Democratic leadership.
“I demanded a full investigation when I first heard about this welfare fraud scandal,” Harrington told NewsNation. “The Mills administration has neglected obvious and credible reports of Somali-linked systemic fraud in the MaineCare system.”
“This is an outrageous betrayal of Maine taxpayers,” he added.
Democratic Gov. Janet Mills’ office and MaineCare administrators did not respond to requests for comment.
The controversy has also become a flashpoint in Maine’s upcoming gubernatorial race, as Democrats seek to replace Mills while Republicans point to alleged corruption and mismanagement under her watch.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Ben Midgely recently raised the issue in an op-ed, warning voters about what he called a “Somali-linked welfare fraud scandal” draining public resources.
Gateway Community Services operates under MaineCare, the state’s Medicaid program that provides healthcare to elderly, disabled, and low-income residents.
Another former Gateway employee, who requested anonymity, told NewsNation they personally witnessed falsified records and manipulated timecards.
“I saw services being billed that were never provided,” the former employee said. “Times were being altered to make it look legitimate.”
Gateway was founded by Abdullahi Ali, a Somali-American businessman who last year ran for president of Jubaland, a regional government in southern Somalia, while still overseeing the company.
Ali declined multiple interview requests but issued a statement defending himself and accusing conservative outlets of spreading false narratives.
“I am proud Somali-American,” Ali wrote. “America is a nation of laws—you cannot change facts by fabricating false stories.”
State records show Gateway was already on the radar of investigators years before Bernardini came forward.
In March 2022, MaineCare’s Program Integrity Unit issued Gateway a notice of violation, citing improper billing and estimating nearly $1 million in overpayments, later revised to $776,000.
The violations included missing documentation, inconsistent billing times, and unsigned service records.
Bernardini alleges the misconduct escalated dramatically during the COVID pandemic, when federal relief money flooded the system.
He said Gateway received large sums through the Paycheck Protection Program while simultaneously issuing bonuses to short-term employees who never worked with clients.
“People were getting $2,000 bonuses after two weeks on the job,” Bernardini said. “No client work. No hours. Just free money.”
Records obtained by Maine Wire show Gateway received $28.8 million in MaineCare payments between 2019 and 2024, including $4.1 million last year alone.
Bernardini sought whistleblower protections in April 2024 by contacting the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General.
In emails shared with NewsNation, he warned of potential fraud, waste, and outright theft.
DHS declined jurisdiction and directed him to state authorities.
Bernardini then submitted a tip to the Maine State Auditor, later assisting with audit inquiries before Gateway terminated his position in April 2025.
Months later, the auditor’s office asked whether he had contacted federal agencies such as the FBI.
Bernardini has since relocated to Florida but says Maine officials owe taxpayers answers.
“I knew this would blow up eventually,” he said. “I just wish I had spoken up sooner.”
