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Nick Shirley — Citizen Investigative Journalist

Nick Shirley is an independent citizen journalist and YouTuber who, beginning in late 2025, published viral investigative videos exposing alleged large-scale government program fraud in Minnesota and California. His work triggered federal investigations, congressional testimony, and a California state bill critics dubbed the "Stop Nick Shirley Act."

Profile​

FieldDetails
Full NameNick Shirley
BornApril 4, 2002 (Utah)
RoleIndependent journalist / YouTuber
PlatformYouTube (1.6M subscribers, 288M+ views), X/Twitter (1.2M followers)
AffiliationNone — independently funded, no legacy media outlet
StatusActive (as of 2026)

What He Exposed​

Minnesota — "Ghost Daycares" / Somali Childcare Fraud​

On December 26, 2025, Shirley published a 42-minute video (filmed December 16, 2025) alleging widespread fraud at Somali-owned childcare centers in Minneapolis. His core claim: facilities were receiving over $110 million in government Medicaid subsidies while appearing empty or not actually providing services — "ghost daycares."

The video received 135+ million views on X and 3 million on YouTube.

Federal response:

  • FBI and DHS surged personnel to Minnesota following the video's virality
  • FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the FBI had already been investigating "large-scale fraud schemes exploiting federal programs" in Minnesota prior to Shirley's video
  • Federal funding for targeted childcare centers was frozen
  • Shirley testified before the House Judiciary Committee on January 21, 2026

State response:

  • Minnesota state officials said inspections found most facilities were operating and did not substantiate the specific "ghost daycare" claims at the sites Shirley visited
  • Daycare providers sued the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth and Families (Feb 19, 2026)

Broader context: The Justice Department had previously charged 98 individuals (85 of Somali descent) and obtained 60+ convictions on Minnesota childcare fraud before Shirley's video — suggesting a real, documented fraud problem existed in this sector predating his investigation.

California — Daycare and Hospice Fraud​

Shirley followed up with a California investigation alleging $170 million to potentially $500 billion in fraud involving daycare centers and hospice care facilities in Los Angeles billing the government for services not rendered.

Gavin Newsom's office publicly mocked his claims. Shirley publicly rebutted the response.

Government Attempt to Criminalize His Journalism — AB 2624​

After Shirley's California investigation, California Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D, 18th Assembly District, Oakland area) introduced AB 2624, officially titled "Privacy for immigration support services providers."

What AB 2624 does:

  • Creates a confidential address program for workers at "designated immigration support services" organizations (nonprofits, community legal clinics, DOJ-recognized entities, law offices providing immigration services, healthcare facilities)
  • Prohibits publicly posting personal information or images of these workers "with intent to incite harm" or after receiving a written demand to stop
  • Criminal penalty: up to $10,000 fine and/or one year in jail; felony if bodily injury results
  • Civil remedy: injunctive relief or triple damages (minimum $4,000)

The "Stop Nick Shirley Act" label: California Assemblymember Carl DeMaio (R, AD-75) dubbed it the "Stop Nick Shirley Act" and led opposition. His stated concerns:

"AB 2624 is an unconstitutional direct attack on transparency and the First Amendment."

"California Democrats are trying to intimidate citizen watchdog journalists and protect waste and fraud happening in far-left-wing NGOs."

DeMaio argued at committee that the bill's broad language — covering any organization "providing services to immigrants" — could be weaponized to suppress legitimate investigative footage of government-funded nonprofits, exactly the kind of footage Shirley used to expose fraud.

Status: AB 2624 advanced out of committee on April 13, 2026.

Congressman Tim Burchett (R-TN) commented: "Democrats want to criminalize the 1st Amendment." (April 13, 2026, 980 likes, 261 retweets)

Congressional Recognition​

H.R. 6959 (119th Congress, 2025–2026) — the "Nick Shirley Congressional Gold Medal Act" — was introduced recognizing his investigative work.

Evidence Rating​

STRONG EVIDENCE — Federal investigations were launched following Shirley's reporting. FBI Director confirmed pre-existing investigation into the fraud Shirley documented. 98 individuals had already been federally charged in the sector before his videos. California fraud claims have been contested by state officials; federal response to California investigation is ongoing.

Sources​

Cross-References​

Status: Alive