ST. PAUL, Minn. — Thirty Republican state senators asked state agencies to investigate allegations of massive fraud in a YouTube video three days ago. The request was in a letter addressed to:
> Department of Health.
> Department of Children, Youth and Families.
The 42-minute documentary, by Utah-based blogger Nick Shirley, tracked visits to 10 state-licensed childcare centers at which he found no children. These centers, according to documents fed to Shirey by an named secret informer claimed that millions of dollars had gone to the child daycare or autism care facilities. The Republicans asked about patterns of noncompliance with state licensing requirements and fraud. The letter gave agencies four days to respond. The lead signatory to the request as was Mark Johnson of East Grand Forks, the Senate minority leader. Notably absent as signatories were:
> Jason Jasinski, of Faribault, who is deputy Senate leader for Republicans.
> Carla Nelson, a Rochester Republican, and a 15-year Sente veteran.
> Jeremy Miller, of Winona Reoubiacn. and also a 15-year Senate veteran.