(NewsNation) — Ohio State Auditor Keith Faber has told NewsNation that the state will not racially profile individuals as investigations into possible cases of fraud continue.
Faber joined “Elizabeth Vargas Reports” on Tuesday to discuss allegations of child care fraud involving Somali-run day care centers in Ohio.
It follows the social aid fraud scandal in Minnesota, in which hundreds of millions of dollars intended for a federally funded nutrition program were allegedly used instead for lavish purchases.
Nearly 90 people, a majority of whom are Somali American, have been convicted, federal sources confirmed to NewsNation. Ohio has the second-largest Somali population in the country, and an eruption of online claims have materialized alleging Somali-run day care centers in the state are ripping off taxpayers.
Faber said the state is investigating tips alleging possible fraud in the daycare, Medicaid, and elder sectors.
However, “We absolutely don’t want to do racial profiling, or say because somebody is poor, they’re committing fraud,” Faber told NewsNation.
“We don’t do this just in the Somali population. We’re doing it all around Ohio every single day,” he added.
“We will continue to be vigilant. But as I say, if you see something going wrong in government, say something. 1-866-FRAUDOH or ohioauditor.gov.”
NewsNation’s Rich McHugh contributed to this report.