Manager Denies Fraud at Minneapolis Daycare Under Scrutiny

In the wake of a viral investigation that exposed glaring irregularities at taxpayer-funded child care centers in Minnesota, the manager of one such facility is now pushing back despite mounting violations, a misspelled sign, and millions in state money.

The Quality Learning Center, or as its sign reads, “Quality Learing Center,” has received $4 million in state funding since its doors opened. But when independent journalist Nick Shirley arrived to investigate last week, not a single child was present at the facility. That video has since racked up hundreds of thousands of views, with many pointing to it as just the latest example of alleged welfare fraud sweeping across Democrat-run cities like Minneapolis.

But center manager Ibrahim Ali insists it’s all a misunderstanding. “There’s no fraud going on whatsoever,” Ali told reporters on Tuesday, claiming Shirley arrived too early in the day. “We operate from 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.”

The explanation hasn’t satisfied state officials or many observers, especially considering:

• Multiple state violations, including unsafe facility conditions and incomplete background checks on staff.

• Fines issued for faulty attendance records, which are used to calculate state reimbursements.

• A public record of complaints and enforcement dating back years all while continuing to collect taxpayer dollars.

While Ali claims the center has never shut down, Minnesota’s Department of Children, Youth, and Families previously stated the location had already closed. Only after backlash did a spokeswoman “clarify” that the center had decided to remain open, despite initial reports.

No one at the center could be reached by phone when contacted by media outlets, and its online contact numbers either rang endlessly or returned a busy signal.

Ali also attempted to redirect blame, accusing Shirley’s video of being racially charged.

“Are you trying to record that we’re doing fraud, or are you trying to put the Somali name and the fraud in the same sentence?” he asked. “That’s what really hurt us.”

But the facts remain stubborn. Quality Learning Center is one of dozens of facilities under investigation as part of a $9 billion fraud probe, much of it linked to shell companies and alleged exploitation of state childcare subsidies.

Even the misspelled sign "Learing" instead of "Learning" drew attention as symbolic of deeper dysfunction. Ali blamed a “graphic designer,” claiming it was never corrected because the owners didn’t think it mattered.

At a time when working families are struggling to make ends meet, this kind of careless waste and potential fraud of millions in public funds is inexcusable. And it raises a larger question: why is this only now coming to light?

Democrat-led cities and states continue to ignore the systemic abuse baked into programs they claim to champion, all while refusing to cooperate with federal oversight. Until leaders start taking accountability and stop hiding behind identity politics the exploitation will continue.

If this is what $4 million in "child care" looks like in Minnesota, it's no wonder the public is losing trust.

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