Monica Cannon-Grant, the founder of the now-defunct nonprofit organization Violence in Boston, is anticipated to enter a guilty plea to multiple fraud charges. Cannon-Grant’s request for a change of plea hearing was submitted on September 29, 2023. She was initially scheduled to go to trial next month after pleading not guilty back in 2022.
Cannon-Grant and her husband, Clark Grant, were indicted in March 2022 on charges of fraud. Prosecutors allege that between 2017 and 2021, Cannon-Grant misappropriated funds intended for Violence in Boston, which was based in Hyde Park. The funds, primarily through donations and grants, were reportedly used for personal expenses, including hotel reservations, gas, groceries, restaurant bills, and personal travel.
The indictment also claims that the couple collected approximately $100,000 in Pandemic Unemployment Assistance benefits while simultaneously receiving income from the nonprofit, consulting fees, and Clark Grant’s full-time employment. In 2023, additional charges were filed against Cannon-Grant for allegedly defrauding the city of Boston out of COVID-19 relief and rental assistance funds.
According to federal prosecutors, Cannon-Grant received $53,977 in pandemic relief funds, which she purportedly diverted to pay for personal auto loans and insurance. Furthermore, they allege she concealed her household income to receive $12,600 in rental assistance from the city.
Tragically, Clark Grant was killed in a motorcycle accident in Easton in March 2023, further complicating the legal situation surrounding the couple.
As the case unfolds, Cannon-Grant’s attorney has been contacted for comments; however, there has been no response reported at this time. The developments in this case highlight the serious implications of financial misconduct within nonprofit organizations and the potential legal consequences for those involved.
The case has drawn significant media attention, particularly from local outlets such as WBZ-TV, as it raises questions about accountability in the nonprofit sector. As Cannon-Grant prepares to change her plea, the outcomes may have lasting effects on her personal and professional life, as well as on the community that Violence in Boston aimed to serve.
