(The Center Square) – Pointing to a multimillion-dollar taxpayer fraud scandal in Minnesota, an Ohio lawmaker wants an investigation into the state’s child care facilities he says are suspected of fraud.
Rep. Josh Williams, R-Sylvania Township, claims there have been multiple reports alleging fraud in publicly funded child care programs that bill the state for children who don’t attend. Williams specifically wants Columbus-area facilities investigated.
“What’s happening in Minnesota is almost certainly occurring in Columbus – and Ohio needs to use every power we have under the law to stop it,” Williams said in a social media post.
Allegations of fraud in Minnesota surfaced in November, when reports stated that millions of taxpayer dollars had been stolen from the state’s welfare system and sent to a Somali-based terror group.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on Tuesday announced it would freeze $185 million provided to Minnesota day care centers annually.
Ohio received more than $800 million in federal taxpayer funds for child care services in fiscal year 2024, and the state spends a total of $1.1 billion on child care.
A letter drafted by Williams and signed by 42 other Ohio lawmakers asks the Ohio Department of Children and Youth to conduct more unannounced inspections of child care facilities that receive state funding and audit attendance records and billing submissions to identify potential fraud. The letter requests the department suspend state payments to facilities where probable fraud or false reporting is found, refer substantiated cases to prosecutors and notify state lawmakers of the results.
The letter claims “widespread public reports alleging that certain child care facilities participating in publicly funded child care programs are fraudulently billing the state of Ohio for children who are not actually in attendance.”
“These allegations raise serious concerns regarding program integrity, the responsible use of taxpayer dollars, and the overall credibility of Ohio’s publicly funded childcare system,” the letter reads. “Unannounced inspections are an essential tool to identify violations, deter fraudulent practices, and reinforce confidence in the oversight of publicly funded programs.”
The Department of Children and Youth did not respond to an email from The Center Square seeking comment.
