Fraud and Deceit

Monica Cannon-Grant, a once-lauded social justice activist, dodged jail time despite pleading guilty to 18 counts of fraud. She got off with four years’ probation and a $106,003 restitution bill. Not a bad deal, considering she and her late husband swindled thousands from their own nonprofit.

A Scheme Unravels

Cannon-Grant’s nonprofit, Violence in Boston, was supposed to reduce violence and help the community. Instead, she and her husband used COVID-relief funds and rental assistance for personal expenses, like auto loans and insurance. They even collected $100,000 in illegal unemployment benefits. It’s a ridiculous abuse of trust, and it’s astonishing she didn’t get harsher punishment.

A Fallen Hero

Cannon-Grant was once Boston’s golden child, earning the Bostonian of the Year award in 2020. Now, she’s a convicted felon. Her nonprofit, VIB, has shut down, but its Facebook page remains active – a bitter reminder of her fallen status.