SEATTLE, WA – Washington Attorney General Nick Brown says members of the Somali community in Washington are reporting harassment following the spread of a viral video alleging fraud at Somali-run daycare centers in Minnesota.
The video, posted over the weekend by Nick Shirley, has received millions of views across multiple social media platforms. It claims that several Somali-run daycare centers in Minnesota were receiving millions of dollars in federal funding while allegedly not providing services or having children present. The funding is administered by the State of Minnesota.
Brown said his office has received outreach from Somali residents in Washington who report that home-based daycare providers are being harassed and accused of fraud, despite the allegations originating outside the state.
“My office has received outreach from members of the Somali community after reports of home-based daycare providers being harassed and accused of fraud with little to no fact-checking,” Brown said in a statement released Tuesday.
Brown said his office is in contact with the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families regarding the online claims and reports of harassment directed at daycare providers.
“Showing up on someone’s porch, threatening, or harassing them isn’t an investigation,” Brown said. “Neither is filming minors who may be in the home. This is unsafe and potentially dangerous behavior.”
Brown encouraged anyone experiencing threats or harassment to contact local law enforcement or the Attorney General’s Hate Crimes and Bias Incident Hotline at 1-855-225-1010 or through the agency’s website.
He also said there are established processes for reporting suspected fraud.
“If you think fraud is happening, there are appropriate measures to report and investigate,” Brown said, directing the public to DCYF’s website for information on reporting concerns. He added that when fraud is substantiated and verified by law enforcement and regulatory agencies, those responsible should be held accountable.
