WASHINGTON (TNND) — A new video by viral conservative YouTuber Nick Shirley is renewing scrutiny of what investigators describe as one of the largest alleged social services fraud schemes in Minnesota history — with estimates reaching as high as $9 billion in stolen taxpayer funds.
Shirley first drew national attention last month after publishing footage highlighting alleged fraud within Minnesota’s day-care system, including facilities accused of billing the state for children who did not exist. His latest investigation, released Wednesday, shifts focus to another area of concern: non-emergency medical transportation services.
In the video, Shirley alleges transportation companies billed the state millions of dollars for rides that never occurred. He documents visits to addresses listed on state paperwork for several transportation providers, finding locations that appeared to have no connection to medical transport services — including liquor stores, money transfer businesses and private residences.
“What I think might be the heart of the beast here is this transportation fraud,” a Minnesota man named David claimed in the video.
In one exchange captured on camera, Shirley asks individuals at listed addresses whether they operate transportation companies named in state records. Several respond that they have never heard of the businesses in question, leading Shirley to allege widespread misuse of public funds.
The allegations come amid broader investigations into Minnesota’s social services system, which has already been rocked by claims of fraud involving food assistance programs and child care providers. State and federal authorities have acknowledged systemic oversight failures in recent years, though not all claims raised in Shirley’s video have been independently verified.
A significant portion of the alleged fraud, Shirley claims, involves Somali-owned businesses. According to figures cited in the video, Somali entrepreneurs reportedly own as much as 90 percent of non-emergency medical transportation companies in the state. The issue has fueled tense exchanges during Shirley’s reporting, with some community members accusing him of targeting a specific group, while Shirley maintains his focus is solely on alleged fraud.
The Somali community holds substantial political influence in Minnesota, prompting critics to question whether political considerations contributed to delayed oversight or enforcement. Shirley’s video highlights connections between individuals accused in earlier fraud cases and prominent state and local political figures, including Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, Rep. Ilhan Omar,D-Minn., and Gov. Tim Walz.
The controversy has unfolded alongside political fallout in the state. Walz, a Democrat, recently announced he would not seek re-election as governor, citing his inability to commit fully to another campaign. Critics have tied the decision to mounting pressure over the state’s handling of social services fraud, though Walz has not directly linked his decision to the scandal.
Shirley is scheduled to testify before Congress next week regarding his findings and the alleged scope of fraud in Minnesota’s social services programs, potentially bringing renewed federal attention to the case.
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