Beware of Russian Trolls...
Claims that 40 Somali daycare centers in Columbus, Ohio, are run by the same company and generated $14 million in fraudulent revenue last year are based on unproven allegations circulating on social media. These claims were debunked by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and the Department of Children and Youth.
Here are the facts regarding the claims:
- The claims originated from social media posts, most prominently circulated by former Republican candidate Ken Blackwell and other conservative influencers, who alleged the Somali Education & Resource Center (SERC) was a "shell organization" behind a widespread fraud scheme.
- A tax filing for the Somali Education & Resource Center did show a revenue of $14.2 million in 2021, which included a large contract with a food wholesaler to provide meals to children at various daycares, not necessarily the revenue for the daycares themselves.
- The allegation that all 40 daycares opened on the same day stems from a misunderstanding of an Ohio Department of Education database screenshot, where a system update in June 2024 caused all providers accessing a new application to have the same "begin date".
- State officials have confirmed that the daycares in question were licensed for years, some for over a decade, prior to June 2024, refuting the claim they all opened simultaneously.
- Governor DeWine stated that Ohio has robust, long-standing anti-fraud measures and urged the public to report any evidence of fraud through official channels, rather than relying on social media posts or conducting their own investigations.
- Federal agents are investigating fraud claims related to publicly funded daycare centers in Minnesota, which spurred the social media attention in Ohio, but there is no specific evidence of widespread fraud in Ohio linked to these claims, according to state officials.
Ohio officials encourage the public to report suspected fraud through official channels, such as the Ohio Department of Children and Youth website or by calling 1-844-234-KIDS (5437). |
