Minnesota Governor Under Fire for Alleged Fraudulent Daycare Scheme
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is receiving considerable criticism following the release of a video by independent journalist Nick Shirley, which claims over $110 million in fraud linked to a Minneapolis daycare and medical center associated with the local Somali community.
Shirley’s 42-minute video, which came out on December 26, showcases his visits to several facilities where he found no children present. He pointed out that a Somali-run daycare was benefitting from both state and federal funding.
This video quickly gained popularity, amassing over 80 million views, 423,000 likes, and 158,000 reposts on X in just a couple of days.
During his investigation, Shirley went to a place named the “Quality Learning Center,” but noted a spelling error on the sign—it’s written as “Quality Learning Center.” Official documents reveal that this center is licensed for 99 children and has received over $4 million in funding in the past two years, yet it was closed during his visit, even though it was supposed to be open.
“This is a classic example of the multi-billion dollar fraud currently occurring in Minnesota,” Shirley stated. “This is just one of many so-called ‘daycare centers’ that has received millions from the government, while failing to provide any real services. It’s shocking that a nursery school like this got $1.9 million in tax-free funding,” he added.
Shirley also reported on supposed fraudulent medical companies, visiting locations connected to 14 Somali-owned medical entities, only to be repeatedly turned away without receiving any medical services. He alleged that these companies billed the state for millions without delivering any actual care.
In response to Shirley’s findings, tech billionaire Elon Musk took to social media, calling for Walz’s indictment. He shared that during his tenure with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), his team uncovered numerous fraudulent operations. “This is just one of many,” Musk emphasized.
“There was massive fraud in all government programs, particularly with the federal funds allocated to states as block grants,” Musk remarked.
Vice President J.D. Vance also weighed in on Shirley’s report, stating, “This man has done more impactful journalism than many award winners.”
FBI Director Kash Patel commented on the situation, affirming the agency’s proactive measures to address fraudulent schemes in Minnesota. He pointed out that the FBI is focusing on dismantling large-scale fraudulent schemes that exploit federal programs, prioritizing fraud that harms taxpayers and vulnerable communities.
“We were already deploying resources to tackle a large-scale fraud operation before this issue gained attention on social media,” Patel explained. He added that the FBI is investigating a specific scheme that defrauded federal food aid meant for needy children during the pandemic, resulting in numerous indictments and convictions.
Patel further cautioned that the investigation into these fraudulent operations is ongoing, and there may be potential repercussions regarding denaturalization and deportation for implicated individuals.
As of now, Governor Walz has not publicly addressed these serious allegations.
