ST. PAUL, Minn. – Sunday night, Fox 9 news aired an investigative report regarding fraud within Minnesota’s childcare assistance program.
Rep. Peggy Flanagan (DFL – St. Louis Park), DFL-lead of the House Subcommittee on Childcare Access and Affordability, released the following statement:
“We’re all troubled by the instances of fraud highlighted recently. These abuses particularly hurt the families who count on childcare assistance for basic economic security.
“Regrettably, the report largely dismisses anti-fraud work already undertaken by the Dept. of Human Services. In fact, since its 2011 inception after Gov. Pawlenty left office, the DHS Office of Inspector General has prosecuted 13 cases with six of them resulting in felony convictions. 13 childcare centers have been closed and over $4.6 million of restitution has been ordered.
“Legislators, DHS officials, and community members will all need to work together to prevent fraud and hold bad actors accountable. We must move forward in order to make childcare affordable for all Minnesotans while ensuring accountability."