Court of Appeals panel finds sufficient evidence to reinstate the verdicts
Renee L. WorkeMinnesota Court of Appeals judge writing the opinion for a three-judge panel
Worke's opinion holds that the circumstantial evidence supports the six verdicts and reverses the acquittal.
“Because there was sufficient circumstantial evidence of respondent’s guilt, we reverse and remand for reinstatement of the jury’s verdicts.”
Original text
Where this statement fits
Minnesota appeals court orders Yusuf's Medicaid fraud verdicts reinstated
The Minnesota Court of Appeals reversed a post-verdict acquittal and ordered reinstatement of six aiding-and-abetting theft-by-swindle verdicts against Abdifatah Yusuf. According to the appellate opinion, the trial court had found it reasonable to infer that his brother carried out the fraud without Yusuf's knowledge or assistance. The panel concluded that this explanation was unreasonable when the circumstantial evidence was considered as a whole.
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Original text
About this source
The nonprecedential opinion reverses the judgment of acquittal and remands for reinstatement of six verdicts. It reproduces the competing sufficiency arguments.
Before the quotation
A jury returned six guilty verdicts, and the trial court later granted a judgment of acquittal. The state appealed on the ground that the evidence was sufficient.
After the quotation
The opinion examines the circumstantial evidence as a whole and rejects Yusuf's proposed explanation that Mohamed concealed the fraud from him.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
Relative to reinstating the jury's verdicts, the opinion expressly finds sufficient evidence and orders reinstatement.
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More from this case
Read the full caseEllison defends the evidence and the appeal of Yusuf's acquittal
“we presented more than ample evidence at trial of Yusuf’s guilt”Read statement
Judge West sets aside the verdicts, citing a reasonable inference that Yusuf's brother acted without his knowledge
“While the Court is troubled by the manner in which fraud was able to be perpetuated at Promise, the State’s evidence did not exclude other reasonable, rational inferences that are inconsistent with Mr. Yusuf’s guilt.”Read statement
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The Dispute Index. "Court of Appeals panel finds sufficient evidence to reinstate the verdicts". First published: 2026-10-29. Last updated: 2026-10-29. https://disputeindex.com/events/7042-worke-s-opinion-holds-that-the-circumstantial-evidence