Screenshot: WBNS RINO Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s office has brushed off growing concerns about potential massive fraud in taxpayer-funded daycare centers, particularly in Columbus, which boasts the second-largest Somali population in the United States, as simply “the cost of doing business.”

The governor’s office said that attempts to use daycare centers for fraud in Ohio have been “known to the state for decades,” and implied that those who did not think it was an issue are naive.

Speaking to the Columbus Dispatch, Dan Tierney, DeWine’s spokesperson, denied any recent “surge” in fraud but acknowledged that the governor’s office is aware of public interest in the matter.

“If people are out there who could not contemplate that people were trying to defraud the public through day care centers, I understand it’s new to them … but it’s been known to the state for decades,” Tierney said. “So therefore, we have robust anti-fraud measures to try and stop this, this is something that is unfortunately the cost of doing business.”

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s office on potential fraud at childcare centers in Columbus– which has the second highest Somali population in America:

“This is something that is unfortunately the cost of doing business.” pic.twitter.com/hCE3B0b3Dz

— Greg Price (@greg_price11) December 31, 2025

Social media reactions to Price’s post have been fierce, with users expressing outrage over the idea that fraud is an acceptable “cost of doing business.” One reply stated, “Massive fraud is just something we need to come to terms with? Mike DeWine should resign just for saying that.”

Somali daycare fraud schemes are front and center thanks to an explosive video by YouTuber Nick Shirley, exposing “ghost” daycare centers in Minnesota that are receiving millions of taxpayer dollars — but do not appear to be real operations.

Columbus, home to an estimated 45,000 to 70,000 Somali residents, has become a focal point for these concerns, with critics arguing that lax oversight and immigration policies have enabled such abuses.

In Ohio, viral videos and posts drawing parallels to Minnesota have prompted swift action from GOP lawmakers.

State Representative Brian Stewart has called for an immediate investigation into the potential daycare fraud in Columbus, urging the Ohio Attorney General’s office and other agencies to probe the claims.

“We cannot allow taxpayer dollars to be wasted on fraudulent schemes,” Stewart said in a statement.

The Ohio Department of Youth and Children, which oversees licensing and subsidies for daycare centers, administers programs that provide vouchers to low-income families, funded by a mix of state and federal dollars.

In fiscal year 2025, Ohio spent over $800 million on childcare assistance, according to state budget reports.