COLUMBUS, Ohio — Gov. Mike DeWine is pushing back against viral allegations claiming Somali-run daycare centers in Ohio are defrauding taxpayers, warning that social media outrage is distorting facts and unfairly targeting an entire community.
The claims, which gained traction online following similar accusations in Minnesota, prompted Republican lawmakers in Ohio to call for investigations into publicly funded childcare centers in Columbus, home to the nation’s second-largest Somali population after Minneapolis. President Donald Trump echoed the accusations over the weekend, asserting without evidence that Somali operators were “ripping off” the country.
At a Monday press conference, DeWine said Ohio already has extensive safeguards to detect and prevent fraud. The Department of Children and Youth, he explained, reimburses centers based on actual attendance rather than enrollment, conducts audits, and performs surprise inspections. Of Ohio’s roughly 5,200 childcare centers, only 12 were shut down in 2025 for fraud-related issues — less than 1 percent. About $2 million in overpayments across roughly 60 cases were recovered, with the state determining those errors were unintentional.
DeWine acknowledged that fraud exists across all sectors but cautioned against singling out Somali-owned businesses. He also dismissed claims by self-styled online “investigators” who argue that being denied entry proves wrongdoing, noting that security rules are meant to protect children.
DeWine urged lawmakers and the public to rely on verified data, not viral content, as Ohio continues to follow updated federal anti-fraud protocols.
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