Independent journalist Nick Shirley released a 42-minute video showing multiple Minnesota childcare centers appearing completely inactive, including one that received millions in taxpayer funds despite no visible children or operations.
The footage focuses on the Quality Learning Center in Minneapolis, where the sign misspells “learning” as “learing.” Licensed for up to 99 children, the facility showed no activity during a weekday visit, yet it collected approximately $4 million in state Child Care Assistance Program funds over recent years, with $1.9 million in 2025 alone. When approached, a woman shouted “Don’t open up. It’s ICE,” assuming the visitors were immigration agents.
Shirley’s investigation uncovered over $110 million in potential fraud across several sites in one day, describing it as the tip of the iceberg. He visited other centers tied to similar funding, finding locked doors, no staff, and no children present.
This exposure comes amid Minnesota’s massive welfare fraud scandal, where federal prosecutors estimate over $1 billion stolen from social service programs, much linked to the Twin Cities Somali community. The infamous Feeding Our Future case alone involved $250 million diverted from child nutrition funds, with some money allegedly reaching terror groups like Al-Shabaab. Dozens have been convicted, and investigations continue into autism services, housing, and childcare programs.
High-profile figures quickly reacted. Vice President JD Vance called it a microcosm of immigration fraud, stating politicians gain power while cheats get rich, stealing from citizens.
What’s happening in Minnesota is a microcosm of the immigriation fraud in our system. Politicans like it because they get power. Welfare cheats like it because they get rich.
But it’s a zero sum game, and they’re stealing both money and political power from Minnesotans. https://t.co/AHLc0QuaiP
— JD Vance (@JDVance) December 27, 2025
“Politicians like it because they get power. Welfare cheats like it because they get rich,” Vance wrote. “But it’s a zero sum game, and they’re stealing both money and political power from Minnesotans.”
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer demanded Walz explain the $4 million to a center that can’t spell “learning.” Rep. Mike Lawler called for accountability, arrests, and congressional hearings. Donald Trump Jr. urged viewers to watch the full video, highlighting misuse of tax dollars. Elon Musk posted “Prosecute” Walz.
The center accumulated 95 violations from 2019-2023, including missing child records and safety issues. State records confirm the funding, but oversight failures under Governor Walz’s administration allowed such discrepancies to persist.
Federal probes by HHS, Treasury, and U.S. Attorneys widen, with over 90 charged across schemes. Walz has defended his response, claiming early detection and increased anti-fraud measures, but critics argue lax controls enabled the growth.
Taxpayers fund these programs intended for vulnerable families, yet empty facilities and fraudulent claims drain resources. Shirley’s on-the-ground reporting reveals what official audits missed, demanding stronger safeguards and prosecutions.
As investigations deepen, Minnesotans deserve answers on how billions vanished under state watch.