Community Activist Monica Cannon-Grant Faces Sentencing in Federal Fraud Case
Longtime Boston community activist Monica Cannon-Grant is set to receive her sentence on Thursday following a federal fraud case to which she pleaded guilty last year. She admitted to multiple charges, including wire fraud, mail fraud, and tax-related offenses. The sentencing is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. in federal court in Boston, with prosecutors recommending an 18-month prison term and forfeiture of money.
Cannon-Grant and her late husband, Clark Grant, faced indictments for diverting funds from their nonprofit, Violence in Boston, for personal use and obtaining illegal unemployment benefits. The couple allegedly misused pandemic relief funds and fraudulently obtained rental assistance payments. Clark Grant passed away in a motorcycle accident in 2023.
Federal prosecutors accused the Grants of using nonprofit funds for personal expenses, including auto-related bills, and conspiring to defraud government agencies for financial gain. They allegedly received over $145,000 in fraudulent unemployment assistance and failed to report income on tax returns. Cannon-Grant's activism efforts, such as organizing rallies against police violence, earned her recognition and awards.
Violence in Boston, founded in 2017, aimed to address violence, raise awareness, and support community causes in the city. Cannon-Grant served as the CEO, while her husband was a founding director. The nonprofit ceased operations in July 2022, suspending all programs.