Nick Shirley defends Minnesota daycare fraud reporting after CNN interview
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Independent journalist Nick Shirley commented Wednesday about his appearance on what he called CNN’s “hit piece” aimed at its coverage of alleged fraud at Minnesota daycare centers.
CNN reporter Whitney Wild interviewed Shirley on “Anderson Cooper 360” Tuesday night, during which Wild questioned Shirley’s methods of investigating the centers.
“But surely you don’t think a nursery should be unlocked?” Savage asked. “You shouldn’t be able to just go to daycare.”
“There must be a receptionist,” replied Shirley.
Footage of Walz’s VP debate touting government support for day care goes viral amid fraud allegations in Minnesota
Independent journalist Nick Shirley went viral over the weekend for his investigation into alleged fraud in Minnesota. (Fox News)
“No, every nursery is locked,” Wild replied.
“Okay, you bring up a fair point. So why don’t they give me information on how to register a child?” said Shirley.
Wild then asked Shirley how she knew the allegations against the nurseries were true.
“How do I know they’re true? We’ve shown you what’s going on, then you can go ahead and do your own analysis,” replied Shirley.
“So we can do our own analysis? Are you 100% sure it’s true?” Savage asked.
“Yes, I’m 100% sure I’m correct,” said Shirley.
ICE INVESTIGATIONS SUSPECT SCAM SITES IN MINNESOTA AS AUTHORITIES FOLLOW A POTENTIAL $9 BILLION MONEY TRAIL
Federal authorities began investigating Minnesota daycares. (Department of Homeland Security)
Shirley revealed more about the interview Valuetainment’s “PBD Podcast.” He described Wild as “very friendly” but was surprised by her focus on the investigation rather than the nurseries.
“They put a very important part in me,” he said.
“I’m thinking, ‘Ma’am, you’re advocating fraud. What are you talking about?'” said Shirley. “It wasn’t about when I got to the daycare. The point is, this building here costs $1.9 million and it doesn’t even work. And they show this: [their] While the children’s commissioner said the nursery was closed last week, they are literally shuffling the kids around right now.”
During the episode, Shirley pushed back on Wild’s questioning of her claims.
“You’re saying this is a fake daycare. Children are being dropped off right now,” Wild said.
CNN’S ABBY PHILLIP SAYS THE CONCEPTION THAT ‘NO ONE WAS BEING HELD RESPONSIBLE’ FOR FRAUD IN MINNESOTA IS ‘TOTALLY FALSE’
HHS has frozen payments to child care facilities in Minnesota while investigations continue. (Madelin Fuerste / Fox News Channel)
CNN did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Shirley went viral over the weekend with her 42-minute video investigating Minnesota nurseries that are inactive despite receiving millions of dollars in government funding.
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Her video prompted an investigation by federal authorities and prompted the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to freeze all child care payments to Minnesota.
