Tim Walz pushes back on Minnesota fraud allegations following Nick Shirely's viral clip

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA: Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has pushed back against fraud allegations following a viral clip by journalist Nick Shirley that showed visits to multiple childcare centers in the state, one of which allegedly received millions of dollars despite appearing largely inactive.

A spokesperson for Walz told Fox News that the Minnesota Governor has spent years working to 'crack down on fraud' and has taken steps to strengthen oversight of state programs while answering questions about the allegations.

Tim Walz's office says he has worked for years to 'crack down on fraud'

Talking to the outlet, the spokesperson said, "The governor has worked for years to crack down on fraud and ask the state legislature for more authority to take aggressive action. He has strengthened oversight — including launching investigations into these specific facilities, one of which was already closed."

Moreover, the spokesperson added that Walz has 'hired an outside firm to audit payments to high-risk programs, shut down the Housing Stabilization Services program entirely, announced a new statewide program integrity director, and supported criminal prosecutions.'

Walz's office made the statement following the release of a 42-minute clip by Shirley, which was posted on Friday, December 26, on X and YouTube. The video documented visits to several daycare centers in the blue state, including a location on Nicollet Avenue in Minneapolis.

The clip showed Shirley and another man at what appeared to be a largely inactive childcare facility. The building also displayed a misspelled sign reading 'Quality Learing Center,' though the center is reportedly supposed to account for 99 children and received roughly $4 million in state funds. 

The journalist appeared on Fox News' 'The Big Weekend Show' on Sunday, December 28, and said the alleged fraud in Minnesota was 'so obvious' that a 'kindergartner could figure out that there is fraud going on.'

Shirley further mentioned that other journalists may be reluctant to pursue similar reporting out of fear of being labeled 'Islamophobic' or 'racist'.

He said, "Fraud is fraud, and we work too hard simply just to be paying taxes and enabling fraud to be happening."

GOP demands answers from Tim Walz after viral video

Tim Walz is facing intense public and political scrutiny following the viral investigation Nick Shirley into alleged widespread fraud within the state's taxpayer-funded daycare programs. 

The clip's findings triggered a wave of condemnation from GOP leaders and legal experts who argue that the Governor’s administration failed in its oversight duties.

Rep Mike Lawler took to X and wrote, "Folks need to be arrested and prosecuted and the Governor of Minnesota needs to be held accountable. Congress should hold a hearing immediately and start getting answers."

Similarly, Legal analyst Jonathan Turley appeared during an interview with Fox News, suggesting that the Governor’s casual response to the allegations was insufficient.

"We have to hold people like Tim Walz to account. If you burn a billion dollars through sheer negligence and blind recklessness, then there’s got to be some accounting. You've got to appear in answer for these questions," Turley said.

He added, "He basically offered a shrug and a smile. Well, There's a billion dollars missing on the table and someone's gonna have to answer for it."

Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon, criticized the oversight on X, and wrote, "One fraudulent business in Minnesota that misspelled 'learning' on its building received $1.9M this year while masquerading as a daycare. There are not enough words to describe the breathtaking failure that has happened under the watch of @GovTimWalz."