WASHINGTON — Maine’s Medicaid program was taken for millions of dollars by a contractor whose founder and CEO sought political office in his native Somalia last year, a whistleblower has claimed.
The controversy surrounding Portland-based Gateway Community Services has drawn comparisons to the $1 billion social services fraud scandal roiling Minnesota, which has led to criminal charges against dozens of members of that state’s Somali diaspora.
Christopher Bernardini, who worked as a program coordinator at Gateway between May 2018 and April 2025, claimed to NewsNation that his former employer billed taxpayers for services that weren’t provided and falsified records to support the fraud.
“I just couldn’t fathom it — I thought we were helping people; I thought this was all on the up-and-up,” Bernardini, who has since moved to Florida, told the outlet.
“I have a passion for helping people, and I thought that we were doing the right thing this whole time.”
Gateway was contracted with Maine’s Medicaid service, known as MaineCare, to assist elderly, disabled and low-income residents. On its website, the organization claims to offer programs that “help people navigate care, understand insurance and safety net programs, and access essentials like housing and food.
“The team also provides workforce support, helping individuals identify employment opportunities, training, and certifications to build skills for stability and long-term wellbeing.”
In fact, Bernardini claims, Gateway...
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