An unearthed Hennepin County surveillance clip from March 2015, first used in a 2018 prosecution, appears to show parents signing children into daycares and leaving minutes later while providers billed government programs for care not rendered. Another clip reportedly shows an alleged kickback payment. The footage resurfaced amid a renewed federal probe into alleged widespread childcare fraud in Minnesota and a recent viral video of apparently inactive centers. Federal officials point to the Feeding Our Future investigation—about $250 million alleged fraud—as part of a larger effort that has produced numerous indictments and convictions.
Unearthed 2015 Surveillance Rekindles Scrutiny of Minnesota Daycare Fraud
During a 2022 press briefing, U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger outlined federal charges against 47 people accused of participating in a $250 million Feeding Our Future fraud scheme that diverted child-nutrition funds into luxury spending, real estate and kickbacks, according to prosecutors. Authorities released evidence documents and graphics as part of the case.
An unearthed surveillance clip first used in a 2018 prosecution has resurfaced and intensified scrutiny of alleged reimbursement fraud in Minnesota daycare programs dating back to 2015. The footage, recorded in Hennepin County and time-stamped March 2015, appears to show parents signing children into daycare centers and leaving minutes later while providers billed government programs for care that may not have been provided.
What the Footage Shows
The surveillance video—originally featured in a local news report and submitted as evidence in a 2018 case—captures parents checking children into a facility and departing shortly afterward. Prosecutors have said providers used such sign-ins to claim reimbursements from government childcare programs for services that were never delivered.
GOP lawmakers in Minnesota are calling for Gov. Tim Walz to resign over the exploding fraud crisis.
A separate clip included in the earlier broadcast reportedly shows a man handing an envelope to a parent; investigators allege the envelope contained a kickback payment in exchange for participation in the scheme.
Resurfacing Amid Wider Federal Investigation
The old footage re-emerged as federal authorities probe what they describe as potentially widespread fraud in Minnesota childcare programs. Attention increased after a recent viral video by Nick Shirley documented visits to multiple childcare centers, including one that appeared largely inactive despite having received substantial state funds.
FBI Director Kash Patel stands silently during a press conference on Oct. 23, 2025, in New York City.
The resurfacing has prompted criticism from several national figures, including Senator J.D. Vance, Donald Trump Jr., and Elon Musk. The White House also reposted a social-media message from Linda McMahon condemning the alleged abuses.
Federal Response and Ongoing Cases
FBI officials say they have added investigative resources in Minnesota to pursue large-scale fraud schemes exploiting federal programs. Investigators have cited the Feeding Our Future probe—an investigation that uncovered roughly $250 million in alleged fraud involving federal food aid during the COVID-19 pandemic—as an example of broader abuses.
That investigation has already led to dozens of indictments and convictions: prosecutors reported 78 indictments and 57 convictions in connection with Feeding Our Future, and also alleged an attempted juror-bribery plot involving $120,000 in cash. Federal authorities say their work in Minnesota is ongoing and that they continue to follow financial trails tied to the alleged schemes.
Note: This article reports allegations and ongoing investigations. Some individuals and organizations referenced have denied wrongdoing in related cases; prosecutions and appeals are continuing.
