A shadow is falling over Maine’s network of migrant services, and the investigation is leading directly to the office of Governor Janet Mills. A surge of federal agents from Homeland Security Investigations descended upon Lewiston, focusing on Somali-run nonprofits, Medicaid billing practices, and individuals with strong ties to the state’s Democratic party.
HSI confirmed a wide-ranging audit of Maine businesses, declaring a commitment to preventing fraud and ensuring legal employment. The agency emphasized that employing unauthorized workers poses a significant threat to national security, a statement that signals the gravity of the unfolding situation.
At the center of the investigation is Gateway Community Services (GCS), a taxpayer-funded organization that has received tens of millions of dollars in MaineCare payments – the state’s Medicaid program. GCS also benefited from multiple no-bid contracts awarded by the Mills administration, raising serious questions about the process and oversight.
Founded in 2016 by Abdullahi Ali, a Somali refugee, GCS rapidly expanded, operating through both a for-profit LLC and a nonprofit arm. The organization’s stated mission is to provide vital services to immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers, including crucial support for health and well-being.
However, reports began to surface alleging a connection between GCS and aggressive voter registration drives targeting “New Mainers” – recent immigrants. Critics claim these efforts were strategically timed to benefit Democratic candidates in the 2022 election, potentially influencing the outcome of key races.
The Lewiston office of GCS allegedly served as a central hub for the Community Organizing Alliance (COA), a group linked to progressive organizations. Following the intensification of the federal investigation, COA swiftly removed its board member list from public view, a move that fueled further speculation.
In a surprising turn, Lewiston – a city with a substantial Somali population – saw Governor Mills secure a victory for the first time in the political career of her predecessor. Some attribute this shift to increased voter participation among newly registered migrants, a development now under intense scrutiny.
The allegations extend beyond voter registration, suggesting a broader pattern of financial connections between taxpayer funds allocated for migrant services and political activities that favored Democrats. This raises concerns about a potential “payoff” system operating within the state.
Adding to the complexity, key figures within GCS have direct links to the Democratic party. State lawmakers Deqa Dhalac and Yusuf Yusuf are both former GCS officials, and Ekhlas Ahmed, a former GCS employee, was appointed to a newly created position within Governor Mills’ Office of New Americans.
Late in 2024 and early 2025, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services suspended payments to GCS and issued notices of violation, signaling a growing awareness of potential wrongdoing within the state government.
A former GCS billing specialist came forward with explosive allegations, claiming the agency systematically defrauded the MaineCare program for at least five years. The specialist detailed how supervisors allegedly manipulated the Electronic Visit Verification system to create false service hours and submit fraudulent claims.
Audits revealed a consistent pattern of overbilling by GCS, with the agency repeatedly failing to provide adequate documentation to support its claims for reimbursement. Despite these findings, the Mills administration continued to award contracts and grants to the organization.
The situation reached a critical point when federal agents executed a search warrant at GCS’s Lewiston office, seizing computers and files. The building itself serves as a central location for numerous migrant-run organizations and Medicaid billing agencies.
According to those familiar with the investigation, this isn’t simply a case of Medicaid fraud; it’s a deeply intertwined network of financial and political connections within the Maine Democratic Party. The ties to Governor Mills and her administration are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.
The unfolding investigation promises to reveal the full extent of the alleged misconduct and its potential impact on the integrity of Maine’s political system, leaving many to question the true cost of these programs and the motivations behind the decisions made at the highest levels of state government.
