In Washington state, The Center Square delivered original, timely, on-the-ground coverage of alleged fraud and misuse of government funding by a Somali-run daycare. While other outlets relied largely on canned statements and secondhand accounts, The Center Square sent a reporter on location to confirm if these facilities were really taking care of children and confronted employees of the businesses. This coverage gave our readers exclusive, on-the-ground footage that other outlets could not provide.

 

The Center Square team then took this reporting to the state audit and legislative leaders, directly asking what steps they are taking to address, identify, and combat fraud. The Center Square asked Washington State Auditor Pat McCarthy during an exclusive interview about the audit her office has underway and if her office will dig into what appears to show potential fraud. The Center Square also spoke to several Washington lawmakers during a media availability and questioned them about their plan to address the potential mishandling of Washington taxpayers’ dollars.

 

Our video reporting generated more than half a million views on social media and inspired additional coverage from other outlets, amplifying scrutiny around Washington’s childcare subsidy oversight and fraud-prevention mechanisms.