Minnesota Somali Fraud Scandal Grows, Empty Daycare Allegedly Received $4 Million In State Funds

Original article here

The Minnesota Somali fraud scandal involving misuse of taxpayer funds via social services fraud is back in the spotlight as a viral YouTube video confronts workers at an empty “learning center” that reportedly received $4 million.

The administration of Democratic Governor Tim Walz has been under increasing criticism over the alleged loss of more than $1 billion to social services fraud, primarily within the Somali community in the Twin Cities area.

Fox News reports that independent journalist Nick Shirley and his researcher visited several Somali-owned Minneapolis facilities that were each licensed for dozens of children but appeared to be completely deserted.

Shirley and his colleague approached a building labeled Quality Learing Center (sic) and noted that the word “Learning” was misspelled on the daycare’s sign.

When the two men began asking questions of workers at the daycare, they were immediately treated with hostility and accusations of being Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.

Shirley’s viral video caught the attention of House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN) who shared a clip of the video and asked Governor Walz, “Care to explain this one?”

4 million dollars of hard earned tax dollars going to and an education center that can’t even spell learning correctly.

Care to explain this one, @tim_walz? https://t.co/mGhS5IP4km

— Tom Emmer (@tomemmer) December 26, 2025

Emmer, who represents Minnesota’s 6th District, has been been among Walz’s fiercest critics, particularly over reports of taxpayer dollars being funneled to Somali terror group Al-Shabab. Emmer added, “An estimated $9 BILLION has been stolen from the hardworking taxpayers of Minnesota.”

State data shows that the centers have taken in over $110 million in taxpayer subsidies through Minnesota’s Child Care Assistance Program.

Commenting on the reaction to his video going viral, Shirley said, “We ALL work way too hard and pay too much in taxes for this to be happening, the fraud must be stopped.”

The full video of Nick Shirley’s investigation and encounters with those running the daycare centers can be seen below.

Here is the full 42 minutes of my crew and I exposing Minnesota fraud, this might be my most important work yet. We uncovered over $110,000,000 in ONE day. Like it and share it around like wildfire! Its time to hold these corrupt politicians and fraudsters accountable

We ALL… pic.twitter.com/E3Penx2o7a

— Nick shirley (@nickshirleyy) December 26, 2025