"An on-going 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS investigation into Welfare Waste, led by reporter Mark Albert, examines how taxpayer money is being spent on public assistance programs. Beginning in November 2010, our stories found a benefits bonanza that might leave you shaking your head: cigarettes, alcohol, lottery tickets - even tattoos - can be bought with your money. We found welfare cash can be used for all sorts of things never intended, from the Twin Cities to the U-S Virgin Islands. And it's all legal. After our reports, lawmakers demanded action and the state began to reform the system.
In May 2011, our investigation found millions of dollars are being spent on childcare that doesn't exist, for families and providers that don't qualify. At the same time, thousands of families are placed on a waiting list for childcare, told there isn't enough money left to help them."