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RELEASE: Rep. Ilhan Omar Statement on Childcare Fraud Investigation

Monday, May 14, 2018

SAINT PAUL, MN – Today, State Rep. Ilhan Omar (DFL – Minneapolis) responded to the Sunday Fox9 report on fraud in some Minnesota childcare centers who use childcare assistance funds with the following statement:

“This is a serious crime that should continue to be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted when criminal acts are uncovered by the investigators currently working on the case. I’m committed to making sure that Minnesota families who need childcare assistance get it, and that childcare assistance is accessible to every Minnesota family who finds themselves in the situation where they need this critical help. It is outrageous to think that some bad actors are throwing the future of an essential tool for helping children living in poverty into jeopardy. We must make certain that this isn’t happening anymore, and it is good to know that the Department of Human Services is uncovering and investigating fraud in partnership with county and federal law enforcement when they find it.”

“I’m very troubled by these reports, but it gives me some peace to know that these successful fraud investigations wouldn’t be possible without the strong relationships, communication, and shared trust that the Department of Human Services and the Somali community have built over several years working to bring fraud to the surface.”

“Vilifying an entire community- as stories like this often do- does not serve justice or get results. Collaboration does. It is dangerous to draw a link between people sending remittances to their loved ones and the funding of terrorist organizations. I know too well that many Republicans will use this to further Islamophobic rhetoric within our society, but I hope that Minnesotans will look past the politics of division and look forward to build stronger relationships among new neighbors to find a unified path for our society.”

 

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