Ohio attorney among citizen journalists investigating alleged fraud at daycare centers скачать в хорошем качестве

Ohio attorney among citizen journalists investigating alleged fraud at daycare centers

https://abc6onyourside.com/news/local... Daycare centers across the state of Ohio are garnering a lot of attention after claims of fraud, and some people are going door to door to Somali-owned, publicly-funded facilities to do their own digging. Videos of "citizen journalists" have been going viral on social media, including those from Columbus attorney Mehek Cooke. In one video posted to X, a daycare worker appears to push her and her cameraman out of a doorway, yelling "get back." In a 911 call from that incident, the caller said, "They are here. Nobody can come inside. These people are scaring us." Cooke sat down with ABC 6 to discuss that interaction and others she's had with daycare workers across the city of Columbus. She said she'd been posting videos and investigating these facilities based on tips she said from the community. "I opened the door and walked into the lobby when he bum rushed me and completely threw me out of his office without even allowing me to say 'Hello' and "This is who I am." ABC 6 asked what evidence of fraud has she found as she's conducted her investigation. "I have never once said that there's fraud in this daycare or home health care," Cooke said. "Alleged fraud is completely different." Cooke said she has never been denied entry from a daycare, despite videos she provided ABC 6 that suggest otherwise. "I have always knocked and [been] granted some type of permission," she said. "I have not had my invitation revoked." Since Cooke has started posting the videos online, she said she has had to file three police reports, two for assault and one for aggravated menacing. ABC 6 obtained copies of those documents. "We have to change the way that we're taking care of our children," Cooke said. "I'm simply asking basic questions: what are your hours of operation, how do you enroll, and how much does it cost?" ABC 6 went to the same facilities Cooke went to in her videos, where they told our news team that parents are pulling their kids out due to safety concerns. Two of the five facilities said they've even seen people show up on their properties with masks covering their faces. "You just want to get a few views," one daycare worker said. "To make money out of it, or you want to post it to social media." At one of the daycares, a worker told ABC 6 they have had to install extra security camera and locks on doors since the videos have gone viral to keep the kids safe. "And then after that, he will say, 'you [expletive] Somalians, go back to your country.' Or 'do you guys accept white kids?' And then I would say, 'that's being racist.'" "So I was telling them, like, why are you guys doing this to the kids?" she continued. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine urges people to report suspected fraud to the state instead of trying to enter childcare facilities. "So there shouldn't be a shock when someone, you see something on social media, and someone is going, 'I can't get into this place. No one will let me in,'" DeWine told reporters last month. "Well, hell no! No one should let them in." However, Cooke said she wants more action from the state. "This isn't a Somali issue," she said. "This is an American issue. I hope that they continue doing their audits that shouldn't stop any citizen journalist or attorney from asking questions." Cooke said she has set up meetings with the legislature and the Department of Medicaid to discuss the issue further but did not provide records to support that claim. _______________ Stay up to date with our social media: WSYX on Facebook:   / wsyxabc6   WSYX on Twitter:   / wsyx6   WSYX on Instagram:   / wsyx6   Subscribe to WSYX on YouTube:    / @wsyxabc6   Daily News Playlist:    • 6 On Your Side   For more information, visit https://abc6onyourside.com/ Have a news tip? Send it directly to us: Email us: news@wsyx6.com Call the Newsroom: 614.481.6659 WSYX and WTTE are OH based stations owned and operated by Sinclair Broadcast Group. Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. is one of the largest and most diversified television broadcasting companies in the country today. #WSYX #ABC6 #News #WSYX6 #6OnYourSide