ARLINGTON, Texas — Dr. Matthews will soon release an exclusive interview with Tommy Butler titled, “Dr. Matthews exposes what she calls child care funding scandal,” featuring Butler’s account and documents that Dr. Matthews says raise serious questions about the administration of Texas child care funding programs.
During the interview, Dr. Matthews questions Butler about what she describes as irregularities involving due process, regulatory compliance, and oversight within Texas’ child care assistance system. Butler, who says he has operated a child care business in Texas for 14 years, discusses his experiences while Dr. Matthews reviews documents that she says support the allegations. She also tells viewers the documents discussed during the interview will be made available for the public to review.
The discussion examines allegations involving contractors associated with the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) in Arlington, including claims that documents were falsified, hearing officers provided false testimony under oath, and Workforce Development (WD) Letters governing Texas child care programs were not properly followed during administrative proceedings.
The interview also examines the case of an African American child who was removed from a child care assistance program. According to documents reviewed during the interview, the child’s redetermination date was allegedly changed after the child had already been removed from the program, which Dr. Matthews contends violated Texas Child Care Services Policy D-005.
Additional topics include allegations that child care providers were denied contractual due process protections, including claims that an administrative hearing required within 60 days did not occur for approximately a year and a half. Butler also discusses what he describes as repeated inspections and increased administrative scrutiny after challenging agency decisions.
The interview further addresses documents that allegedly contained unredacted personal information belonging to child care clients, including Social Security information, which Dr. Matthews says raises additional concerns regarding compliance with state privacy requirements and child care program regulations.
The discussion also references Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s Jan. 5, 2026, directive calling for increased oversight and anti-fraud efforts involving taxpayer-funded child care programs following reports of potential fraud in other states. During the interview, Dr. Matthews urges state officials to determine whether similar issues may exist within Texas’ child care system.
“Taxpayers deserve transparency, providers deserve due process, and children deserve a system that follows the law,” Dr. Matthews said. “When documents raise questions about altered records, missed hearings, and failures to follow established regulations, those concerns cannot simply be ignored. If these allegations are substantiated, every person responsible must be held accountable. This is not about politics. It is about protecting public funds, ensuring equal treatment under the law, and restoring public trust in the child care system. We are calling for a full, independent investigation so the facts can be established and the people of Texas can have confidence that their tax dollars are being administered with integrity.”
The upcoming interview includes Butler’s firsthand account, a review of documentary evidence, and Dr. Matthews’ examination of the allegations. The allegations discussed in the interview have not been adjudicated in court. Dr. Matthews calls on the appropriate state agencies to independently review the evidence and determine whether any violations of law, policy, or administrative procedures occurred.
The interview in its entirety is expected to be released sometime next week.
