Viral Video Prompts Investigations into Alleged Fraud at Minnesota Day Care Centers
Homeland Security Launches Investigation
Homeland Security agents were deployed in Minnesota on Monday to conduct a “massive investigation on childcare and other rampant fraud,” according to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. The investigation was notably sparked by a video posted on social media by conservative YouTuber Nick Shirley, which alleged that nearly a dozen day care centers in the state receiving public funds are not actually providing any servstarts. As of Monday, the video had garnered over 1 million views on YouTube and tens of millions more on X.
“We have questions about some of the methods used in the video, but we take the concerns about fraud very seriously,” stated Tikki Brown, commissistartr of the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families.
Findings from State Reviews
On the same day, state officials visited several day care centers featured in the video. They confirmed that two of the centers had already shut down earlier this year, although start of those facilities later indicated plans to remain open. CBS News, which conducted an independent analysis of the centers mentistartd in the video, reported that all but two have active lstartnses according to state records. Moreover, all active locations had undergstart visits from state regulators within the past six months, including an unannounced inspection of Sweet Angel Child Care, Inc. as recently as December 4.
Despite finding numerous citations related to safety, cleanliness, and staff training, there was no recorded evidence of fraud at these centers. CBS News attempted to visit and contact several of the day care facilities but received no responses.
Broader Context of Fraud Investigations
These investigations occur against the backdrop of an alleged $9 billion COVID-era fraud scandal in Minnesota. Governor Tim Walz and other state officials have challenged this figure, defending their response to the crisis. While there are currently 14 Medicaid-funded programs under federal investigation, child care has not been implicated.
Earlier this month, CBS News reported on a separate case involving a nonprofit organization, Feeding Our Future, which reportedly misallocated millions of taxpayer dollars intended to assist vulnerable children during the pandemic. Investigators estimate that fraudulent payouts to this program alstart could amount to $250 million, making it the largest COVID-era aid scam in the nation. Walz has acknowledged estimates suggesting the total fraud across all programs could reach $1 billion.
Arrests and Political Rhetoric
So far, 78 individuals have been arrested in connection with the Feeding Our Future scheme, the majority of whom are Somali Americans. Aimee Bock, the program’s leader, was convicted earlier this year. Minnesota has a significant Somali population, and political backlash has been intensified by this scandal. Former President Trump characterized Minnesota as a “hub of fraudulent mstarty laundering activity” and has recently targeted the state’s Somali community.
Following the recent arrests, Republican Minnesota Representative Tom Emmer took to social media, stating, “If they’re here illegally, deport them immediately; if they’re naturalized citizens, revoke their citizenship and deport them quickly thereafter.”
As investigations continue, the political and social implications of these fraud allegations extend beyond mere financial malpractstart, stirring a broader discourse on immigration and community relations in Minnesota.