Independent journalist Nick Shirley says he was turned away from multiple Somali-run “daycare centers” in Minnesota while attempting to investigate allegations that more than $1 billion in taxpayer funds were misappropriated through state social programs.
Shirley visited several locations reportedly operating as daycare facilities and asked to tour the centers under the pretense of seeking a place to enroll his child.
Instead, he was repeatedly denied entry, with windows blacked out, little visible activity, and staff refusing to answer basic questions.
Outside the buildings, Somali men allegedly confronted him and ordered him to leave.
Videos posted online show Shirley asking to speak with a manager and requesting paperwork to enroll a child.
In several instances, workers appeared unable, or unwilling, to explain how many children were in their care or where they were located.
At one location, an individual responded that “there’s kids there,” but when asked how many, replied, “I don’t know.”
Another facility flat-out refused to provide access, responding “No” when asked if the daycare could be toured.
WATCH:
Shirley has since released the full footage of his visits, which has fueled growing questions about how these centers are operating and where taxpayer money is going.
WATCH:
🚨 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
Congressional Oversight Expands as Fraud Probes Widen
Multiple federal agencies are now investigating what lawmakers describe as one of the largest welfare abuse scandals in Minnesota’s history.
The scheme is allegedly tied to Somali immigrant-run nonprofits and state-funded aid programs.
The probe initially focused on food assistance and childcare reimbursement programs but has since widened to include autism-related disability funding and other social service benefits.
Evidence already reviewed by investigators suggests taxpayer losses could reach into the billions.
One study cited in oversight discussions indicated that U.S. taxpayer money siphoned out of Minnesota was routed back to Somalia, where it may have become a major funding source for the Islamist terror group Al-Shabaab.
In some cases, fraud schemes were reportedly as simple as filing paperwork for a daycare, providing no services, and billing the state for millions of dollars.
House Oversight Chairman James Comer (R-KY) has called the situation a systemic failure of the Minnesota government and has requested closed-door transcribed interviews with state officials.
“Democrats turned a blind eye to this fraud. Republicans won’t,” Comer said, announcing requests for Treasury suspicious-activity reports and Department of Justice briefings tied to the scandal.
Comer also faulted Minnesota’s Democrat Governor Tim Walz for allowing conditions that enabled the alleged fraud network to expand unchecked.
Reports Suggest Programs Were Mass-Exploited
Investigators are now examining whether entire social-benefit systems were targeted, including programs designed to:
- feed low-income children
- provide disability assistance
- reimburse autism-related care
- fund childcare services
One report cited during oversight briefings claimed that extraordinarily high numbers of Somali children in Minnesota were classified as autistic, triggering expanded benefits and reimbursements.
Federal officials are reviewing whether diagnoses were manipulated to generate payments.
Terror-Funding Concerns Raise Alarm
The Washington Examiner reported that President Donald Trump recently moved to terminate temporary protected status for Somalis in Minnesota following revelations that fraud proceeds may have been funneled overseas.
Earlier reporting alleged that millions of dollars were diverted to support Al-Shabaab, a terrorist organization responsible for attacks across East Africa.
The Department of Justice has not yet released full findings, but has confirmed that federal fraud and terror-finance investigators are involved.
Shirley’s Footage Intensifies Scrutiny
Shirley’s on-the-ground video investigations add a new layer to the expanding scandal, showing alleged daycare centers that appear to lack visible staff, facilities, or children despite reportedly receiving millions in public reimbursements.
In one clip shared online, individuals outside the buildings shouted at him to leave while refusing to confirm whether any children were actually inside.
🚨 This is a prime example of the BILLIONS of dollars in fraud happening right now in Minnesota, this is one of the hundreds of “daycares” receiving millions of dollars from the government, this daycare (that can’t even spell learning right) received $1,900,000 in tax exempt… pic.twitter.com/TlZVqg9LBi
— Nick shirley (@nickshirleyy) December 23, 2025
Critics argue that these locations resemble shell fronts rather than functioning care centers.
Shirley’s work comes as federal authorities expand their probe into what officials now describe as a sprawling Somali-linked welfare network siphoning massive sums from programs intended to help vulnerable children and families.
Investigators say more arrests and deeper revelations are expected as the inquiry continues.
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