A chilling investigation in Minneapolis has revealed a network of seemingly abandoned daycare centers, quietly collecting millions in public funds while serving… no children. Independent journalist Nick Shirley’s recent exposé documented visits to these state-funded facilities, many serving the Somali immigrant community, finding them eerily empty during operating hours.
The scale of the potential fraud is staggering. Shirley’s team identified over $110 million in suspicious payments funneled to these “daycares” in a single day, echoing previous scandals like the “Feeding Our Future” fraud that plagued the state. One center, Quality Learning Center, licensed for 99 children, was found completely deserted, yet had received nearly $4 million in taxpayer money in recent years.
Shirley’s attempt to enroll a fictitious child was met with a blatant lie – staff claimed the center was “full,” despite the obvious emptiness. A local whistleblower, identified only as David, corroborated Shirley’s findings, stating he’d observed these sites for years without ever witnessing a single child present.
The investigation uncovered a disturbing pattern: multiple locations sharing addresses with other questionable businesses, including non-emergency medical transport and home healthcare providers. This web of interconnected operations appears designed to obscure the flow of public money, operating with minimal oversight.
Federal authorities are now responding. Following Shirley’s report, FBI agents have begun raiding these locations, and the Department of Homeland Security has initiated investigations and suspended certain funds. The situation has ignited political controversy, with calls for accountability directed at Governor Tim Walz.
FBI Director Kash Patel released a statement confirming the Bureau was already deeply involved before the story went viral. He emphasized the FBI had “surged personnel and investigative resources” to Minnesota to dismantle these large-scale fraud schemes targeting federal programs.
Patel highlighted a previous successful operation that dismantled a $250 million fraud scheme exploiting federal food aid during the COVID pandemic. That investigation resulted in 78 indictments and 57 convictions, including charges of wire fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy against individuals like Abdiwahab Ahmed Mohamud and Asha Farhan Hassan.
The previous case also revealed brazen attempts to obstruct justice, including a $120,000 bribery attempt targeting a juror. Those responsible faced significant penalties, including a ten-year prison sentence and nearly $48 million in restitution.
Patel made it clear this is likely just the beginning. “The FBI believes this is just the tip of a very large iceberg,” he stated, vowing to continue following the money and protecting vulnerable children. Furthermore, individuals involved may face deportation proceedings.
The investigation remains ongoing, promising further revelations about the extent of the fraud and the individuals responsible for exploiting public trust. The focus now is on unraveling the complex financial network and ensuring those who stole from taxpayers are brought to justice.
