Summary: Minnesota officials and the manager of a Minneapolis daycare denied fraud allegations after a 42-minute video questioned the operations of several state-funded child care centers. Commissioner Tikki Brown said prior, unannounced inspections found children present and no evidence of fraud, and officials are conducting further unannounced visits. Ibrahim Ali, manager of the Quality Learning Center, said the video was filmed outside posted hours and invited inspectors to observe during operating times. State authorities said they will investigate any credible evidence and have not paused payments to the facilities named.
Minnesota Officials and Minneapolis Daycare Manager Deny Fraud After Viral Video; New Unannounced Inspections Launched
Minnesota Department of Children, Youth and Families Commissioner Tikki Brown denied any fraud took place, despite a recent report by independent journalist Nick Shirley.
Minnesota officials and the manager of a Minneapolis daycare strongly denied fraud allegations Monday after a 42-minute viral video raised questions about several state-funded child care centers. The footage, posted by independent journalist Nick Shirley, shows visits to multiple facilities — including the Quality Learning Center on Nicollet Avenue — which appeared largely inactive during the reporter's inspection.
Background
The video documents visits to several licensed centers and highlights a sign at the Minneapolis location that spells the name as "Quality Learing Center." The clip notes that the facility is listed for 99 children and reports it received roughly $4 million in state child care assistance funds. Shirley has said the alleged problems were "so obvious" that a "kindergartner could figure out that there is fraud going on."
Quality Learning Center manager Ibrahim Ali denied any fraud took place, despite a recent report by independent journalist Nick Shirley.
State Response
Tikki Brown, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth and Families, said the facilities featured in the video had been inspected previously under the state's licensing process and that those reviews did not uncover fraud. Brown added regulators are conducting additional unannounced visits to follow up on concerns raised by the footage and to determine whether any recordings were made outside regular operating hours or on days the centers were closed.
"We are aware of a video that's being circulated that has gained local and national attention about child care centers in Minnesota. While we have questions about some of the methods that were used in the video, we do take the concerns that the video raises about fraud very seriously," Brown said.
State officials emphasized there is currently no pause on payments to the centers named in the video and that any credible evidence of fraud would be thoroughly investigated.
Tim Walz speaks onstage during 2025 SXSW Conference and Festival at the Austin Convention Center on March 8, 2025, in Austin, Texas.
Daycare Manager's Response
Ibrahim Ali, manager of the Quality Learning Center, forcefully rejected the allegations. He said the video misrepresented the program by filming outside posted hours and that the center primarily serves after-school children, operating Monday through Thursday from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. according to its schedule.
"There’s no fraud going on whatsoever. Kids come to us, clients come to us — they’re here daily," Ali said, adding the center has operated continuously for more than eight years and has never told staff or families to stop attending.
Ali also said the scrutiny has harmed his business and the broader Somali community, and invited regulators and journalists to visit during posted hours to observe normal operations.
Public Reaction And Next Steps
The video has drawn national attention and criticism of Minnesota’s leadership, including calls for answers from several public figures. Shirley has suggested some reporters may avoid similar investigations for fear of accusations of Islamophobia or racism. State officials have reiterated they will pursue any credible evidence of fraud and are expanding unannounced site visits to corroborate the concerns raised in the footage.
What To Watch: Additional inspections and any subsequent findings from the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth and Families could determine whether payments continue, whether enforcement actions are warranted, and how the state addresses concerns about oversight of child care subsidies.
