Two Spring Lake Park Residents Charged with $860K in Medical Assistance Fraud

Magda Mahmoud Elsagher and Mohamed Metwalli Elshazli accused of falsely claiming no income and assets to receive public benefits

Apr. 10, 2026 at 7:25pm

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An extreme close-up of a stack of medical forms and documents, the harsh flash illuminating the intricate textures and details, conceptually representing the investigation into a major fraud case.A harsh, unforgiving spotlight on the alleged fraud that drained over $860,000 from the public medical assistance system.Spring Lake Park Today

Two residents of Spring Lake Park, Minnesota, Magda Mahmoud Elsagher and Mohamed Metwalli Elshazli, have been charged with wrongfully obtaining over $860,000 in medical assistance payments by making false claims about their household income and assets to the Anoka County Department of Human Services.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing issue of public assistance fraud, where individuals exploit government programs intended to help those in need. The large sums allegedly obtained through fraudulent means raise concerns about the integrity of the medical assistance system and the need for stronger verification processes.

The details

According to court records, Elsagher and Elshazli, along with their four adult children, received medical assistance and food stamps from March 2020 to October 2022. They are accused of falsely claiming that no one in the household was self-employed and failing to report other income and assets, including a business owned by Elshazli with a checking account that had an average balance of over $30,000. Investigators also found that Elsagher owned the family's home and 17 vehicles, most of which were never disclosed.

  • The alleged fraud occurred between March 23, 2020, and February 28, 2021, and from September 17, 2022, to October 31, 2022.
  • The couple was charged on April 10, 2026.

The players

Magda Mahmoud Elsagher

A Spring Lake Park, Minnesota resident accused of making false claims to receive over $860,000 in medical assistance payments.

Mohamed Metwalli Elshazli

The husband of Magda Mahmoud Elsagher, also a Spring Lake Park, Minnesota resident accused of making false claims to receive over $860,000 in medical assistance payments.

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What’s next

If convicted, Elsagher and Elshazli each face up to 25 years in prison and a maximum fine of $200,000.

The takeaway

This case highlights the need for stronger verification and oversight of public assistance programs to prevent fraud and ensure that limited resources are directed to those who truly need them. It also raises questions about the effectiveness of the current system in detecting and deterring such large-scale abuse of government benefits.