The founders of the nonprofit, Violence in Boston, were indicted for defrauding the organization and its donors. Monica Cannon-Grant and her husband Clark Grant were charged with using the organization’s funds for personal expenses.
Beginning in 2017, when Violence in Boston was founded, Cannon-Grant applied for public and private grants alleging the money would be used to further the organization’s mission, which was to reduce violence, raise social awareness, and aid community causes in Boston.
Cannon-Grant is a well known figure in Boston, and was named Boston Globe Magazine’s Bostonian of the Year in 2020.
From 2017 to 2020 Carson-Grant and her husband controlled the organization’s finances and funneled money to themselves through cash withdrawals, cashed checks, debit purchases and transfers to their personal bank accounts. The money was used for hotel reservations, groceries, gas, car rentals, auto repairs, Uber rides, restaurants, food deliveries, nail salons and travel. Cannon-Grant claimed not to collect a salary from Violence in Boston but records show that she paid herself $170,000 in 2021.
The couple faces up to 20 years in prison, $250,000 in fines, and restitution to donors and organizations they defrauded.