Quality 'Learing' Center Among 22 Sites Raided In Twin Cities Fraud Probe

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Federal agents raided nearly two dozen sites across the Twin Cities on Tuesday morning as part of an ongoing fraud investigation.

The FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, and other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies executed 22 court-approved search warrants in Minnesota.

Among the locations searched was Quality Learning Center on Nicollet Avenue in Minneapolis, Fox 9 reported, a daycare that drew attention earlier this year because its sign misspelled "Learning" as "Learing."

The searches also included several other day care and autism centers, including Baby Halimo Child Care on Cedar Avenue South, Burnsville Learning Center and Metro Learning Center.

KSTP reported that FBI agents used a pry bar to enter Metro Learning Center on 13th Avenue South shortly before 7 a.m.

A Justice Department spokesperson told multiple outlets that Tuesday’s searches were part of an ongoing fraud investigation. Sources told KARE 11 the raids were not connected to federal immigration enforcement.

"Today the FBI with federal, state and local law enforcement is involved in court-authorized law enforcement activity as part of an ongoing fraud investigation," the FBI said in a statement to FOX 9.

The searches come as state and federal officials continue to scrutinize alleged fraud involving taxpayer-funded programs in Minnesota.

Gov. Tim Walz praised the joint operation Tuesday.

"If you commit fraud in Minnesota you’re going to get caught — and that’s exactly what we saw today," Walz said.

"We catch criminals when state and federal agencies share information. Joint investigations work, and securing justice depends on it."

No charges tied specifically to Tuesday’s searches had been announced.

Reporting from the Associated Press was used in this story.