DeWine Administration Downplays Ohio Daycare Fraud Concerns as “Cost of Doing Business”

Governor Mike DeWine’s office acknowledged long-standing attempts to defraud Ohio’s childcare system but dismissed renewed scrutiny as routine, as GOP lawmakers call for investigations.

By yourNEWS Media Newsroom

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s office is pushing back against growing concerns over potential large-scale fraud at taxpayer-funded daycare centers, characterizing such activity as an unfortunate but familiar reality rather than an emerging crisis.

The comments came as scrutiny intensified around childcare facilities in Columbus, which is home to the second-largest Somali population in the United States. Speaking to the Columbus Dispatch, DeWine spokesperson Dan Tierney denied that Ohio is experiencing a recent surge in daycare fraud, while acknowledging heightened public interest.

“If people are out there who could not contemplate that people were trying to defraud the public through day care centers, I understand it’s new to them … but it’s been known to the state for decades,” Tierney said. “So therefore, we have robust anti-fraud measures to try and stop this. This is something that is unfortunately the cost of doing business.”

Tierney’s remarks drew widespread attention after being highlighted in a social media post by journalist Greg Price, who shared video of the comments on X here. The post triggered sharp backlash online, with critics objecting to the notion that fraud involving public funds should be treated as routine.

Renewed attention to the issue follows the release of a viral video by independent journalist Nick Shirley, which documented what he described as “ghost” daycare centers in Minnesota—facilities allegedly receiving millions in public funds despite showing little evidence of operating. While Shirley’s reporting focused on Minnesota, the revelations have prompted comparisons in Ohio and raised questions about oversight in Columbus.

Columbus is estimated to have between 45,000 and 70,000 Somali residents, and critics argue that insufficient monitoring of childcare subsidies and licensing may leave the system vulnerable to abuse.

In response, Ohio GOP lawmakers have begun calling for action. State Rep. Brian Stewart urged state authorities to investigate potential daycare fraud in Columbus, calling on the Ohio Attorney General’s office and other agencies to examine the allegations.

“We cannot allow taxpayer dollars to be wasted on fraudulent schemes,” Stewart said in a statement.

The Ohio Department of Youth and Children oversees daycare licensing and administers childcare assistance programs that provide vouchers to low-income families. Those programs are funded through a combination of state and federal dollars.

According to state budget documents, Ohio spent more than $800 million on childcare assistance during fiscal year 2025, underscoring the scale of the system now facing increased scrutiny.

While DeWine’s office maintains that fraud prevention mechanisms are already in place, lawmakers pressing for investigations argue that the stakes for taxpayers and vulnerable families warrant closer examination of how childcare funds are being distributed and monitored.