FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — ABA Centers of America, a rapidly expanding autism therapy provider that rose to national prominence with unprecedented speed since its 2020 inception, is currently the subject of an intense federal investigation into its billing practices. The Fort Lauderdale-based firm, which has seen its financial fortunes skyrocket in just under six years, confirmed it is “working” with federal authorities as investigators probe allegations of systemic healthcare fraud.
The scrutiny, which has been ongoing since early 2025, is being led by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in New Hampshire. The gravity of the investigation was underscored when a federal magistrate authorized agents to scour the electronic communications of the company’s founder, Christopher M. Barnett, along with those of several other high-ranking executives.
An 81-page federal affidavit, filed to secure access to the Microsoft accounts of various ABA executives, paints a picture of a wide-reaching inquiry. Investigators are exploring potential criminal offenses, including wire fraud, healthcare fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and the transacting of criminal proceeds. The investigation is being handled by prosecutors from the fraud section of the U.S. Justice Department’s criminal division in Washington, D.C., in close coordination with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Concord, New Hampshire.
Despite the intensity of the probe, no formal criminal charges have been filed against the company or any individuals to date.
Allegations of Fraudulent Billing and Inflated Profits
At the heart of the government’s investigation is the allegation that ABA Centers of America engaged in the fraudulent billing of healthcare benefit programs. According to the federal affidavit, the firm is suspected of submitting claims for “medically unnecessary services” that were allegedly misrepresented regarding the location of service, the provider rendering the care, and the actual clinical necessity of the treatment.
Investigators allege that the company, through an affiliated billing arm, frequently billed for services that did not qualify as legitimate medical treatment, such as time spent by clients napping or watching television. Perhaps most damning are the allegations regarding the company’s internal operations: the affidavit suggests that the services provided were not based on medical necessity, but rather on an internal rating system that categorized patients based on the potential profit the company could extract from their specific health insurance plans.
Interviews with former employees and patients have provided investigators with significant leads. For instance, evidence suggests that the company billed for services provided in Massachusetts at the higher reimbursement rates associated with New Hampshire insurance plans. By misrepresenting the site of service, prosecutors believe the firm intentionally maximized its revenue at the expense of insurance providers.
Furthermore, the affidavit alleges that Christopher M. Barnett utilized the proceeds from these allegedly fraudulent activities to maintain a lavish lifestyle. The document details extravagant purchases, including luxury automobiles, the acquisition of a corporate jet, and the leasing of a multi-million dollar waterfront residence in Fort Lauderdale.
Concurrent Civil Litigation and Insurer Pushback
The federal criminal inquiry is not the only legal challenge threatening the stability of the company. ABA Centers of America is currently embroiled in high-stakes civil litigation with major insurers, including Publix Super Markets and its affiliated health benefits plan.
In a lawsuit currently playing out in the Southern District of Florida, Publix is seeking approximately $15 million in damages. The supermarket chain’s complaint alleges that while ABA marketed itself as a provider of high-quality autism therapy, it was actually operating a scheme to generate massive, unjustified claims. The case, which was recently assigned to U.S. District Judge Raag Singhal, has survived several motions to dismiss, with the judge allowing six of nine counts to proceed to the next phase of litigation.
Judge Singhal’s order from August 28 provided a stark analysis of the allegations: “Plaintiffs — an employer and an insurance plan — allege that healthcare provider Defendants committed insurance fraud.” The judge described a scenario where the company allegedly submitted inflated bills that they never intended to fully collect from patients, essentially gaming the cost-sharing ratios between the insurer and the plan members. “The Court has not been advised as to whether there is a concurrent criminal case pending,” Singhal noted, highlighting the potential for the civil allegations to mirror criminal conduct.
Similar battles are occurring in Massachusetts, where ABA Centers is locked in a legal standoff with Harvard Pilgrim Health Care and Point32Health Services. In that case, the insurance subsidiaries have filed a counterclaim seeking over $19 million, alleging a “far-reaching scheme” to defraud them through systematic overbilling and misrepresentation.
Philanthropic Ties Severed Amid Controversy
The widening scope of the investigation has had immediate consequences for Barnett’s reputation beyond the healthcare sector. In October 2025, Temple University in Philadelphia announced with fanfare that it had received a $55 million pledge from Barnett—the largest gift in the university’s history—and subsequently renamed its College of Public Health the “Christopher M. Barnett College of Public Health.”
However, as news of the federal investigation began to circulate, the university moved quickly to distance itself. In early September, Temple University President John Fry and Board Chair Mitchell L. Morgan issued a campus-wide letter announcing that the university and Barnett had “mutually agreed to terminate” the $55 million commitment. The university confirmed that no funds had actually been transferred to the school prior to the termination. The name recognition for Barnett was promptly removed from the college.
While the university did not provide specific details regarding the break, their letter mentioned that Barnett was dealing with a “life-threatening” medical issue and that he “strenuously denied” any wrongdoing. Neither Barnett nor the company has responded to inquiries regarding the status of his health or his continued role in overseeing the firm.
A “Disruptive” Business Model Under Scrutiny
Since its founding in 2020, ABA Centers of America has been defined by its explosive growth. The company’s revenue trajectory led to high rankings on the Inc. 5000 list, reaching No. 5 in 2024. Barnett, who holds a law degree from Nova Southeastern University but is not listed as a member of the Florida Bar, positioned the firm as a “disruptive” force in the behavioral health industry.
The company’s growth strategy was centered around ICBD Holdings, a Fort Lauderdale-based parent company that controls several ventures, including Curative AI and Exact Billing Solutions. At its peak, the company reported having over 2,000 employees across more than 10 states. However, recent industry reports indicate that the company has faced layoffs and facility closures throughout 2025.
In a statement provided to the South Florida Sun Sentinel, Maria Isina Areco, director of public relations for ABA Centers and ICBD Holdings, addressed the ongoing investigations. “We are aware that the federal government is investigating the company,” she stated. “We are working with federal investigators and will respond at the appropriate time.”
The company’s statement emphasized that its business model was designed to be “disruptive to the status quo” and that it had always sought to “upend current business models for both providers and payors.” Regarding the nature of the investigation, the company stated, “It is also important to note that this investigation does not appear to be focused on the quality of the care that we provide.”
Areco further asserted that the firm is committed to its mission of providing “life-changing outcomes” for children on the autism spectrum and addressing long waiting lists for therapy. “As our company grows and matures, we have continued to increase our investment in staff training on compliance and documentation of our work,” the statement added.
As the legal landscape shifts, the company maintains that its care decisions are guided by data-driven treatment plans and that insurance providers only pay for services that have been authorized. For now, the future of the organization remains in flux as federal authorities continue to examine whether those “disruptive” practices crossed the line into criminal activity.
