Ohio auditor launches portal for public fraud tips

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(The Center Square) – In the wake of fraud allegations against Ohio child care facilities, the state launched a new way for the public to get involved.

State Auditor Keith Faber announced a new section to the auditor’s website that allows the public to report tips about potential fraud involving public benefits.

“We want to make sure that public resources that are supposed to be helping the most vulnerable among us are not lining the pockets of crooks,” Faber said in a release. “We welcome anyone with evidence of crimes that involve public funds to contact us. We take these allegations very seriously, scrutinize any evidence of wrongdoing, and hold people accountable for their actions.”

Faber’s announcement came after a week filled with allegations of fraud at child care centers throughout Ohio, similar to charges in Minnesota.

Republican state Rep. Josh Williams, a congressional candidate, said there have been multiple reports of fraud in publicly funded child care programs that bill the state for children who don’t attend. Williams specifically wants Columbus-area facilities investigated.

Allegations of fraud in Minnesota surfaced in November, when reports stated that millions of taxpayer dollars had been stolen from the state's welfare system and sent to a Somali-based terror group. 

Ohio received more than $800 million in federal taxpayer funds for child care services in fiscal year 2024, and the state set aside a total of $1.1 billion on child care.

Gov. Mike DeWine defended the state’s fraud protections, outlining a series of safeguards that have been in place for years at the state’s nearly 5,200 child care facilities.

He also acknowledged the potential for fraud exists.

"People are rightfully concerned about what is happening with state-funded childcare facilities in Minnesota,” DeWine said. "These are the essential facts about what we do in Ohio. There are almost 5,200 state-funded childcare facilities in Ohio. With that number of facilities, there is certainly the potential for fraud.”