On Tuesday, Monica Cannon Grant, a Black Lives Matter (BLM), leader in Boston, was indicted by the federal government for conspiracy and fraud.
Federal authorities claim that Grant and Cannon-Grant defrauded donor dollars of more than $1 million in grants and donations to Violence in Boston, their non-profit organization. This nonprofit aims to assist victims of violence in Boston.
Cannon Grant, a prominent BLM organizer was taken into custody outside her Beantown residence Tuesday. She declined to comment at court after being released on personal recognizance. This means she will remain free of bail, but she has a written promise that she will appear in court.
BLM activist claims innocence online. She is permitted to continue working at her nonprofit two times a week, but she cannot manage the finances, according to Judge Judith Dein’s terms of release. Next week, she will be charged.
Prosecutors didn’t say how much money the couple allegedly took.
Robert Goldstein, Cannon-Grant’s attorney, stated that “we are extremely disappointed that the government rushed judgment here” outside of the courthouse.
Goldstein stated that Monica and VIB (Violence In Boston) have been cooperating fully and that their production of records continues to be ongoing. “Drawing conclusions based on an incomplete factual record is not fair or full-fledged information that a citizen should receive from their government. This is especially true for Monica, who has tirelessly worked for her community.”
He said, “We are confident Monica will be vindicated when a full factual record emerges.”
Federal agents raided Grant’s house last October and arrested Grant. Grant had been previously charged with lying about a mortgage statement and illegally collecting pandemic unemployment benefits.
Cannon Grant and her husband are accused of engaging in three fraud schemes. They lied on a mortgage application, defrauded donors and illegally collected approximately $1 million in pandemic-related unemployment benefit benefits.
The couple are accused of spending $6,000 on a trip for at-risk young males for personal expenses.
A trip proposal stated that the goal of the venture was to expose the young men to other communities than the violence-ridden neighborhoods they live in every day.
According to federal authorities, the couple spent no money on vacation. They ate at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., bought merchandise at Walmart, and visited a nail salon.
Prosecutors claim that Cannon Grant told the IRS and the state attorney general that she received no salary from her non-profit, but that she was paid $2,788 per week starting in October 2020.
Cannon Grant, 41, is the founding father of Violence in Boston. He was also named “Bostonian-of-the Year” by Boston Globe Magazine.
