Published: October 14, 2026
MONROVIA — Newly released Minnesota court documents have shed light on the suspension and subsequent appeal involving three U.S.-based healthcare facilities owned by National Port Authority (NPA) Managing Director Sekou A. M. Dukuly, revealing that state investigators did not request to interview him before ordering the facilities’ temporary closure in August 2026.
The records, transmitted by the Minnesota Court of Administrative Hearings on Oct. 14, detail the circumstances surrounding the suspension of three assisted-living facilities operated by Golden Touch Health Care LLC, including licensing concerns, anticipated government payment restrictions and allegations of financial fraud that remained under investigation.
The facilities, located in Brooklyn Park and Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, provide residential assistance to individuals with physical and mental health needs. They were identified as Hampshire Court Facility, Scott Avenue Facility and 66th Avenue Facility.
According to the court’s findings, Dukuly was listed as the assisted-living director and 100% owner of all three facilities, with additional executive and managerial responsibilities. The documents also confirm that the facilities’ operating licenses were renewed in 2026, months before the administrative dispute emerged.
The Hampshire Court and Scott Avenue facilities received license renewals effective Jan. 1, 2026, while the 66th Avenue Facility’s license was renewed effective April 24, 2026.
However, concerns arose in August when Minnesota authorities determined that Dukuly was no longer registered as the affiliated licensed assisted-living director for the facilities.
The court records indicate that when the Minnesota Department of Health identifies only the absence of an affiliated director, its usual procedure is to issue a correction order requiring the facility to register a qualified director.
The findings further establish that on Aug. 13, 2026, registered nurse Tabitha Vickie Briggs applied for a shared director license to oversee all three facilities. Her application, however, had not been approved at the time of the administrative hearing.
The dispute intensified when Minnesota authorities received information that the Department of Human Services intended to withhold Medical Assistance reimbursements to Golden Touch Health Care LLC.
According to the findings, all 11 residents receiving care at the facilities depended on Medical Assistance-funded services, prompting concerns about whether the company could maintain operations during the anticipated interruption in payments.
On Aug. 19, 2026, Minnesota Department of Health investigators visited the three facilities to examine management arrangements and assess the potential impact of the payment restrictions on residents.
During the inspections, investigators interviewed Sheikh Dukuly, Briggs, one resident and three unlicensed employees. However, the administrative findings reveal that investigators neither established how frequently staff members were present nor requested an interview with the facilities’ owner.
“The investigator did not ask staff how often they are at the facilities. The investigator did not request to speak with Sekou Dukuly,” the court’s findings state.
The documents also disclose that employees were unaware of the proposed payment restrictions during the inspections because the facilities had not yet received formal notices from the Department of Human Services.
Staff members provided varying accounts of the facilities’ leadership arrangements. Some identified Sekou Dukuly as the director or owner in charge, while others identified Sheikh Dukuly as the manager responsible for daily operations.
Following the inspections, the Department of Health issued immediate temporary suspension and revocation notices affecting the three operating licenses.
The department concluded that the combination of uncertain registered leadership and anticipated revenue interruptions could disrupt the continuity of care provided to residents.
The suspension orders were issued for 90 days, resulting in the transfer of all 11 residents to other facilities.
Separately, the Minnesota Department of Human Services issued payment-withhold notices on Aug. 19, citing allegations of fraud that were being investigated under its Program Integrity Oversight process.
The court findings confirm that the financial allegations were under investigation when the notices were issued. However, the available records do not identify specific fraudulent transactions, disclose the amount allegedly involved or establish that Dukuly personally committed fraud.
The documents distinguish the Department of Human Services’ financial investigation from the Department of Health’s licensing action, although concerns about anticipated payment restrictions contributed to the decision to suspend the facilities.
Golden Touch Health Care LLC subsequently challenged the suspension orders, filing an appeal received by the Department of Health on Aug. 27, 2026.
The appeal led to administrative proceedings examining the circumstances surrounding the suspensions, including the facilities’ management arrangements, the anticipated payment restrictions and the Department of Health’s assessment of potential risks to residents.
On Oct. 14, 2026, the Minnesota Court of Administrative Hearings transmitted the administrative law judge’s findings of fact, conclusions of law and recommendation to Minnesota Health Commissioner Brooke Cunningham.
The court’s correspondence also confirmed that its administrative hearing file had been closed following the transmission.
However, the available documents do not include the judge’s recommendation or the Department of Health’s final determination, leaving the outcome of the appeal and the facilities’ reopening status unconfirmed.
The records establish Dukuly’s ownership of the facilities, their licensing history, the circumstances surrounding the suspensions and the company’s efforts to challenge the regulatory action.
They also confirm that investigators did not request to interview Dukuly before the suspensions and that the financial allegations were still being investigated when the payment restrictions were announced.
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