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Rochester daycare owner federally charged in fraud scheme
ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC) – A Rochester daycare owner has been charged in federal court with wire fraud for allegedly defrauding the Great Start Compensation Support Payment Program (GSCSPP), according to court records.
Jillaine Mertens operated three daycare centers in Minnesota including Creative Stars Academy in Rochester, Creative Stars in Kasson, and Tree of Life in Ramsey.
In order to receive GSCSPP funds, eligible licensed child care providers were required to submit applications on a monthly basis through the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) provider website.
According to federal charging documents, Mertens inflated the number of hours worked by teachers and staff and falsely submitted applications for teachers and staff not working for her businesses. Federal officials said Mertens concealed the false and fraudulent representations to the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF).
MN fraud: Feeding our Future defendant now facing day care fraud charges
A woman facing charges for allegedly defrauding a child care program is also tied to the Feeding Our Future scheme. FOX 9's Mike Manzoni has the latest details.
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – The head of a Minneapolis day care that was featured in the controversial Nick Shirley video exposing day care fraud in Minnesota is now facing federal charges for fraud.
Federal agents from the FBI and Department of Homeland Security executed search warrants at nearly two dozen Twin Cities businesses in a fraud probe. FOX 9 Crews observed agents entering several locations, including child care centers. Reporter Karen Sculling has the latest.
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Owner of childcare centers in Rochester, Kasson charged in fraud case
(ABC 6 News) — A case filed on Wednesday alleges the owner of three childcare centers, including centers in Rochester and Kasson, inflated staff hours to defraud a program to support payroll for childcare providers.
Jillaine Mertens, who operated Creative Stars Academy locations in Rochester and Kasson as well as Tree of Life Academy in Ramsey, faces one count of wire fraud.
According to court documents, from November 2024 to May 2025, Mertens inflated staff hours and filed false applications for Great Start Compensation Support Payment Program funds for at least 23 people who did not work at any of her childcare businesses.
Another case was also filed Wednesday, involving Fahima Egeh Mahamud, who was also charged in the Feeding Our Future fraud scheme. Mahamud now faces one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States after she allegedly received millions in CCAP funds without collecting required co-payments from parents.
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