Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown warned independent journalists this week that certain methods used to investigate alleged fraud at Somali-owned daycare facilities could expose them to potential hate crime scrutiny.
In a statement posted on social media Tuesday, Brown said his office had received complaints from members of the Somali community who reported harassment connected to online claims of daycare fraud. Brown cautioned that appearing at private residences, confronting occupants, or filming minors could be “unsafe and potentially dangerous” and urged those experiencing threats or harassment to contact law enforcement or the state’s hate crime and bias incident hotline.
“If you think fraud is happening, there are appropriate measures to report and investigate,” Brown said, directing individuals to the state Department of Children, Youth, and Families. He added that verified fraud should be handled by law enforcement and regulatory agencies.
Pushback From Federal Officials And Journalists
Brown’s warning drew criticism from federal officials and journalists who argued the statement could chill First Amendment activity. Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon cautioned that state officials who threaten or discourage lawful journalism could face federal scrutiny under civil rights law.
Independent journalists also defended their work, arguing that visits to taxpayer-funded facilities are a legitimate form of public accountability reporting when conducted lawfully and without threats or harassment.
Context Of Daycare Fraud Allegations
The warning comes amid heightened scrutiny of state-funded childcare programs following a viral investigation by citizen journalist Nick Shirley, who documented dozens of Somali-run daycare facilities in Minnesota that appeared inactive despite receiving public funds. The video, posted in late December, has drawn widespread attention and prompted similar investigations in other states with large Somali populations.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, Minnesota lawmakers had warned state agencies about suspected daycare fraud months before the documentary was released, raising concerns that oversight failures preceded the surge in citizen-led investigations. Legislators said some facilities receiving large sums of taxpayer money appeared non-operational, and whistleblowers alleged their concerns were ignored.
Inspired by the Minnesota reporting, citizen journalists in Washington state have conducted their own visits to addresses listed as licensed childcare providers. Several reported locations that appeared vacant or not operating as daycare facilities, though no charges have been filed in Washington related to those findings.
Ongoing Debate
Brown emphasized that his office supports accountability where fraud is substantiated, but warned that individuals could face legal consequences if investigations cross into harassment or intimidation.
The episode has sparked a broader debate over the role of citizen journalists, government transparency, and the line between public accountability and unlawful conduct when investigating taxpayer-funded programs.