WA Dem Gov Bob Ferguson backs Somali community as fraud allegations increase

He posted to social media following the event, “I met with Somali American community leaders today to discuss the deep damage inflicted by Donald Trump's harmful rhetoric and reckless deportations. Here in Washington state, we recognize that diversity is a strength.”

Ferguson’s comments come as fraud allegations surface against the Somali community in Seattle, similar to the allegations in Minnesota. 92 people have been charged in the North Star State, and 60 of them have been convicted. Of those charged, 82 are Somali-Americans, according to the FBI.

The Seattle area, with the third-largest Somali population in the US, has been in the spotlight following a viral investigative report by independent journalist Nick Shirley, who alleges widespread fraud involving Somali-run daycare facilities in Minnesota. Shirley reported that many of the daycares receiving millions in taxpayer funds appear to have no students enrolled after visiting them and finding empty storefronts. In one example, Shirley visited the Quality Learning Center in Minneapolis, a facility reportedly receiving $4 million in public funding. He found a misspelled sign reading “Quality Learing Center,” a largely empty parking lot, and no indication that children were present.

Republican lawmakers have since called for Minnesota Governor Tim Walz to be “held accountable,” citing the growing scrutiny over the scale of alleged fraud linked to childcare funding in the state.

Investigative reporter for the Center Square, Carleen Johnson, posted to social media on Monday, “Just went to four Somali run home daycare centers in Federal Way, WA that receive taxpayer subsidies. Just like Nick Shirley found in MN, there were no children and no one willing to chat with this reporter. They threatened me with police.”

Johnson wrote, “I didn't ask to come inside. There were no children present. This did not at all appear to be a legit child care center receiving WA taxpayer subsidies.” She added, “Funny thing is, I was standing on the street in front of the home at the time she screamed at me from an upstairs window. I have no doubt WA taxpayers have been bilked of millions by this scam.”

Johnson noted that according to government websites, “there are many taxpayer funded Somali run home daycares in Federal Way, WA,” adding she “went to four of them today and found no children/cameras in our face/no questions answered.”

In a now viral video, Kristen Mag posted on social media, “There are 539 childcare centers in Washington state that list Somali as the primary language. Most don’t even give a street address. I don’t know how many of these are submitting fraudulent claims for state grants and subsidies, but I have a strong hunch the number is not zero.” She added, “The same search tool shows a total of 5046 childcare centers in WA state. So over 10% of childcare centers in the state list Somali as the primary language. And most are concentrated in the Seattle/Tacoma/Western WA region. Seems high. I’d say it’s fair to be skeptical,” noting, “I’m only scrolling through the A’s in my video.”

The news comes on the heels of revelations that a Somali candidate for King County Council in Washington state, who previously threatened to blow up a school bus full of children and was later arrested for allegedly assaulting parents at a school drop-off, received campaign donations from daycare businesses in Minnesota.

Ferguson wasn’t the only one to show support for the community. State Rep Osman Salahuddin echoed Ferguson’s statements, then deleted them as the fraud allegations began to grow. Earlier this month, Ferguson hosted embattled Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as a guest speaker at a campaign luncheon. During his remarks, Walz vowed to bring more Somalians to Minnesota and give more government handouts amid the massive fraud revelations. He said, "Instead of demonizing our Somali community, we’re going to do more to welcome more in.”

The city of Tukwila also expressed support for the Somali community, posting on social media, "We continue to believe that respect and compassion ultimately prevail, and Tukwila will be a community to support and stand by our Somali neighbors, friends, and colleagues."

The Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families, which licenses child care centers, did not initially comment on the investigation, but at the end of the day, sent an email response to KOMO News, writing, "Licensed early learning providers follow quality standards, the Washington Administrative Code (WAC), set by the state to ensure children in licensed care are in safe, healthy, and nurturing environments. DCYF conducts regular inspections to ensure that licensed child care programs meet safety and health standards."