A 42-minute investigative documentary released this week by independent journalist Nick Shirley is drawing national attention after footage showed multiple daycare and healthcare providers in Minnesota appearing inactive or minimally operational despite receiving millions of dollars in public assistance funding, according to state records cited in the film.
The documentary follows Shirley and his team as they visit more than 20 addresses listed as licensed childcare centers and healthcare-related providers participating in state-funded assistance programs. Footage shows several locations appearing locked, vacant, or lacking visible signs of active operations during normal business hours.
🚨 Here is the full 42 minutes of my crew and I exposing Minnesota fraud, this might be my most important work yet. We uncovered over $110,000,000 in ONE day. Like it and share it around like wildfire! Its time to hold these corrupt politicians and fraudsters accountable
We ALL… pic.twitter.com/E3Penx2o7a
— Nick shirley (@nickshirleyy) December 26, 2025
Shirley claims the facilities shown in the documentary collectively received more than $110 million in public funding in a single year. He bases the figure on publicly available state payment data, which his team cross-referenced with on-site visits conducted during a single day of filming.
The Dallas Express has not independently verified the full scope of the allegations and is reporting on the claims presented in the documentary and the public records cited.
Facilities Shown as Inactive
The footage includes visits to properties described as storefronts, office suites, and warehouse-style buildings associated with publicly funded daycare and healthcare services. In several cases, no patients, children, staff activity, or operational signage is visible.
One location highlighted in the documentary — a daycare listed in state records as serving dozens of children — is shown with exterior signage containing a misspelling and no visible signs of childcare activity during the filmed visit. Similar conditions are shown at multiple healthcare-related addresses, which Shirley alleges were receiving substantial public reimbursements.
The documentary does not establish whether the facilities were operating outside filmed hours, temporarily closed, or otherwise non-compliant at the time payments were issued. No criminal charges have been filed related to the specific providers shown as of publication.
Independent Reporting Drives Scrutiny
The documentary has circulated widely online, prompting public commentary and renewed scrutiny of Minnesota’s oversight of public assistance programs. Supporters of the investigation have pointed to the reporting as an example of independent journalism using public records and on-the-ground verification to raise accountability questions.
As of publication, major national news outlets have not reported on the specific daycare and healthcare providers featured in the documentary.
Minnesota officials, including the office of Governor Tim Walz, have not publicly addressed the claims raised in the film.
Why It Matters
Minnesota’s public assistance programs are designed to support low-income families and vulnerable populations while ensuring responsible stewardship of taxpayer funds. If substantiated, the allegations raised in the documentary could indicate weaknesses in oversight, verification, or enforcement mechanisms across multiple funding programs.
At present, the claims remain unadjudicated and based on video footage and publicly available payment data.
The Dallas Express will continue following developments related to the allegations.