US child care fraud allegations spark controversy

(The Center Square) – The debate over allegations of Somalian child care center fraud in Washington state has intensified, drawing responses and counter responses from state and federal officials over the veracity of the claims and the proper response. Recent reports indicate that federal agents from the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI have launched a massive investigation into fraud within Minnesota's social services and child care programs. Prosecutorial estimates of potential fraud across multiple state-run, Medicaid-funded programs have been cited at up to $9.5 billion. The start of the federal investigation occurred within days of a video posted on X on Dec. 26, purporting to show childcare centers that didn't exist receiving taxpayer subsidies. The Center Square has also reported on and participated in visits to licensed childcare centers in Washington state in which no children were found there, while others posting on X have visited child care centers across Washing