Ellison defends the evidence and the appeal of Yusuf's acquittal
Keith EllisonMinnesota attorney general
Ellison says the evidence justified appealing the trial court's acquittal and welcomes reinstatement of the verdicts.
“we presented more than ample evidence at trial of Yusuf’s guilt”
Official statement
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.
Source and context
Official statement
About this source
Ellison defends the trial evidence and the appeal of the acquittal.
Before the quotation
Ellison announces the appellate ruling and says he is pleased with the result. His office prosecuted the case and appealed the acquittal.
After the quotation
He says the fraud harmed taxpayers and people relying on home and community-based services, and welcomes the return of the guilty verdicts.
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, Ellison expressly defends the evidence and his office's decision to appeal.
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More from this case
Read the full caseCourt of Appeals panel finds sufficient evidence to reinstate the verdicts
“Because there was sufficient circumstantial evidence of respondent’s guilt, we reverse and remand for reinstatement of the jury’s verdicts.”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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- Ellison defends the evidence and the appeal of Yusuf's acquittal
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The Dispute Index. "Ellison defends the evidence and the appeal of Yusuf's acquittal". First published: 2026-10-29. Last updated: 2026-10-29. https://disputeindex.com/events/7043-ellison-says-the-evidence-justified-appealing-the-trial