BOSTON (CBS) – A federal grand jury has indicted Monica Cannon-Grant and her husband Clark Grant, the founders of Violence In Boston, on more than a dozen charges for allegedly using the nonprofit for their own benefit.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for Massachusetts announced on Tuesday that Cannon-Grant, 41, and Grant, 38, both Taunton residents, are facing charges as part of an 18-count indictment.
A grand jury found the couple allegedly led a series of schemes designed to defraud Violence in Boston donors, the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance, and a mortgage lending business based in Chicago.
Federal prosecutors allege the couple intended to use charitable donations for their personal benefit.
Charges included 13 counts of wire fraud and one count of making false statements to a mortgage lending business. In addition, Cannon-Grant faces one count of mail fraud.
Grant was charged in October with one count of wire fraud and one count of false statements on a loan and credit application.
Cannon-Grant was arrested Tuesday morning.
Founded in 2017, Violence in Boston said its purpose is to “to reduce violence, raise social awareness and aid community causes in Boston.” Cannon-Grant is the founder and CEO of the organization, and Grant is a founding director.
Instead, prosecutors allege that from 2017-2021, Cannon-Grant used donation and grant money to pay for expenses such as hotel reservations, groceries, gas, car rentals, auto repairs, Uber rides, restaurants, nail salons and personal travel.
The couple is also accused of collecting Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefits despite having income from other sources. While collecting $100,000 of PUA benefits, Cannon-Grant and Grant were allegedly receiving income from Violence in Boston funds, consulting fees, and Grant’s salary from a full-time job.
According to court documents, Cannon-Grant and Grant presented themselves as unpaid leaders of the non-profit. But authorities say Cannon-Grant paid herself an income of $25,000 in 2020, and more than $170,000 in 2021.
Cannon-Grant is expected to appear virtually during a federal court appearance on Tuesday. An arraignment date for her husband has not yet been set.
*story by CBS Boston
