{"id":2530532,"date":"2026-01-06T13:06:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-06T18:06:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/abbott-orders-statewide-investigations-of-child-care-fraud-in-texas\/"},"modified":"2026-01-06T13:11:01","modified_gmt":"2026-01-06T18:11:01","slug":"abbott-orders-statewide-investigations-of-child-care-fraud-in-texas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/abbott-orders-statewide-investigations-of-child-care-fraud-in-texas\/","title":{"rendered":"Abbott orders statewide investigations of child care fraud in Texas"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fabbott-orders-statewide-investigations-of-child-care-fraud-in-texas%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2530532&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered the Texas Workforce Commission and the Texas health and Human Services Commission to step up investigations into <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >potential child care funding fraud<\/a>, citing a widening fraud scandal in Minnesota that is under federal probe. He directed additional site visits, improved data-collection reviews, and other measures to strengthen anti-fraud protections, saying texas will not tolerate misuse of taxpayer funds. Abbott noted Texas&#8217; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/studies-medicaid-rolls-improper-payments-expand-hurting-state-budgets\/\" title=\"Studies: Medicaid Rolls, Improper Payments Expand Hurting State Budgets\">improper payment rate<\/a> is about 0.43% but said more can be done compared with Minnesota&#8217;s reported 11% rate. The move follows revelations-amplified by independent journalist footage-alleging systematic fraud centered on Somali-run day care centers and social service providers in Minnesota; that scandal prompted heightened federal scrutiny and contributed to Gov. Tim Walz ending his reelection bid. Texas agencies must report progress by Jan. 30 and deliver a final report by Feb. 27 as Abbott pledges to continue fighting fraud and protecting child-care resources.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Abbott orders statewide investigations of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/hhs-freezes-child-care-payments-to-minnesota-over-alleged-fraud\/\" title=\"HHS freezes child care payments to ... over alleged ...\">child care fraud<\/a> in Texas, citing Minnesota scandal<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2462047\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Gov. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/greg-abbott\/\">Greg Abbott<\/a> (R-TX) ordered two <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/texas\/\">Texas<\/a> agencies to investigate child care fraud in the state on Monday as the uncovered trend plagues <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/minnesota\/\">Minnesota<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The governor directed the Texas Workforce Commission and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to improve their anti-fraud measures by conducting additional site visits of child care service providers and reviewing their <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/kent-kaiser-proposed-antitrust-legislation-helps-china-threatens-americas-technology-edge\/\" title=\"Kent Kaiser: Proposed Antitrust Legislation Helps China, Threatens America\u2019s Technology Edge\">data collection efforts<\/a>, among other actions.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4407889\/doj-2-million-more-epstein-files-being-reviewed\/\">DOJ says 2 million more Epstein files are being reviewed<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4407530\/fbi-catholic-school-teacher-terrorist-list-jan-6\/\">FBI put Catholic school teacher on terrorist watch list after unverified tip, Senate Jan. 6 investigation finds<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4407777\/trump-tim-walz-criminally-liable-minnesota-fraud-leavitt\/\">Trump believes Walz &#8216;criminally liable&#8217; for Minnesota fraud scandal, Leavitt says<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Abbott cited Minnesota&rsquo;s widening fraud scandal, which the federal government is investigating.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Recently, the Trump Administration and independent journalists have uncovered potential systematic fraud in subsidized child care systems in states like Minnesota,&rdquo; he <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/gov.texas.gov\/news\/post\/governor-abbott-directs-investigations-into-potential-child-care-funding-fraud-in-texas\">said in a statement<\/a>, accompanied by a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/gov.texas.gov\/uploads\/files\/press\/Muth_Esparza_FINAL.pdf\">brief letter<\/a> to the two agencies. &ldquo;Such fraud will never be tolerated in Texas. Today, I directed Texas state agencies to take proactive steps to prevent, detect, and eliminate misuse of taxpayer funds to protect the integrity of Texas&rsquo; Child Care Services Program.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>While Texas already has strong anti-fraud measures in place, as seen in its improper payment rate of 0.43%, Abbott said &ldquo;more can be done.&rdquo; By contrast, Minnesota has an improper payment rate of 11%.<\/p>\n<p>Monday&rsquo;s directive came as Gov. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/tim-walz\/\">Tim Walz<\/a> (D-MN) ended his <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4406501\/tim-walz-drops-reelection-bid-minnesota-governor\/\">reelection bid<\/a> for a third term due to the federal scrutiny he&rsquo;s facing over his handling of the widespread fraud allegations in his state. The White House <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4407777\/trump-tim-walz-criminally-liable-minnesota-fraud-leavitt\/\">signaled<\/a> that the Department of Justice may hold him &ldquo;criminally liable&rdquo; for his involvement in the fraud scandal.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/investigations\/4399944\/how-minnesota-somali-fraud-industrial-complex-stolen-millions-medicaid\/\">HOW MINNESOTA&rsquo;S SOMALI FRAUD INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX HAS STOLEN MILLIONS FROM MEDICAID<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The Trump administration ramped up its investigations of Minnesota&rsquo;s social services programs after independent journalist Nick Shirley <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/nickshirleyy\/status\/2004642794862961123\">posted a video<\/a> late last month that showed the extent of the fraud. Somali-run day care centers and other businesses appear to be at the heart of the scandal.<\/p>\n<p>The Texas agencies are expected to provide a progress report on their expanded anti-fraud efforts to the governor&rsquo;s office on Jan. 30, followed by a final report on Feb. 27. Abbott said he will keep working with agencies in the state&rsquo;s executive branch to &ldquo;fight fraud, protect taxpayer dollars, and promote accessible, affordable, high-quality childcare for Texans.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Abbott orders Texas child-care probes after MN scandal<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2159,"featured_media":2530533,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AP25288552874371.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[69884,37721,3694],"class_list":["post-2530532","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-child-care-fraud","tag-greg-abbott","tag-texas"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AP25288552874371.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2530532","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2159"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2530532"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2530532\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2530536,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2530532\/revisions\/2530536"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2530533"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2530532"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2530532"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2530532"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}