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Speaking with the Columbus Dispatch, DeWine spokesperson Dan Tierney rejected the idea that Ohio is experiencing a new wave of daycare fraud. Still, he acknowledged that the issue has drawn growing attention from the public and lawmakers alike.
“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.”
That statement — particularly the suggestion that fraud is simply “the cost of doing business” — ignited a firestorm online. Many Ohioans took to social media to voice anger, disbelief, and frustration with what they see as a dismissive attitude toward potential misuse of public funds.
One viral response summed up the backlash bluntly: “Massive fraud is just something we need to come to terms with? Mike DeWine should resign just for saying that.”
The controversy has grown amid heightened national attention on daycare fraud schemes following a bombshell exposé by YouTuber Nick Shirley. His investigative video revealed so-called “ghost” daycare centers in Minnesota — operations that reportedly collected millions in taxpayer funding despite showing little or no evidence of legitimate childcare services.
Those revelations have sent shockwaves across the Midwest, prompting Ohio residents to question whether similar schemes could be operating closer to home.
Columbus has emerged as a focal point of concern. Estimates place the city’s Somali population between 45,000 and 70,000 residents, making it the second-largest Somali community in the nation. Critics argue that weak oversight, bureaucratic complacency, and loose enforcement mechanisms may have created opportunities for abuse within publicly funded childcare programs.
Online comparisons between Minnesota and Ohio quickly went viral, pressuring Republican lawmakers to act.
State Representative Brian Stewart was among the first to respond, calling for an immediate investigation into potential daycare fraud in Columbus. Stewart urged the Ohio Attorney General’s office, along with other relevant agencies, to examine the allegations thoroughly and ensure accountability.
“We cannot allow taxpayer dollars to be wasted on fraudulent schemes,” Stewart said in a statement.
Oversight of Ohio’s daycare system falls under the Ohio Department of Youth and Children, which is responsible for licensing childcare providers and administering subsidy programs. These programs issue vouchers to qualifying low-income families, allowing them to access daycare services funded by a combination of state and federal money.
The financial stakes are significant. According to Ohio budget documents, the state spent more than $800 million on childcare assistance during fiscal year 2025 alone — a staggering sum that has only amplified calls for transparency and reform.
As lawmakers push for answers, many Ohioans are demanding more than reassurances. They want investigations, audits, and concrete action to ensure taxpayer dollars are protected — not written off as an unavoidable loss.
With public pressure building and comparisons to Minnesota growing louder by the day, the DeWine administration may soon be forced to confront questions it can no longer brush aside.
To me DeWind is a Democrat. He needs to be removed asap!