Boston ‘Anti-Violence’ Boss Admits to Massive Fraud

BOSTON – Monica Cannon-Grant, 44, of Taunton, a woman who once positioned herself as a champion of Boston’s underserved communities, admitted in federal court today to a breathtaking scheme of fraud and self-enrichment. The founder and former Chief Executive Officer of the nonprofit Violence in Boston (VIB) pleaded guilty to 18 federal counts, exposing a years-long pattern of deceit that siphoned funds intended for violence prevention and community aid directly into her own pockets.

Cannon-Grant’s guilty plea includes three counts of wire fraud conspiracy, ten counts of wire fraud, one count of mail fraud, and two counts each of filing false tax returns and failing to file tax returns. Prosecutors detailed how she misrepresented VIB’s financial needs to donors, falsely claiming funds would support anti-violence initiatives, social awareness programs, and community causes. Instead, the money was diverted to cover personal expenses – a cynical betrayal of those who believed in her organization’s mission. U.S. District Court Judge Angel Kelley has scheduled sentencing for January 29, 2026.

The case, initially brought in March 2022 with an 18-count indictment, expanded in March 2023 to a 27-count superseding indictment that included her late husband, Clark Grant. Clark Grant’s charges were dismissed in May 2023 following his death. The investigation revealed Cannon-Grant and her husband worked in concert to control VIB’s finances, funneling donations through cash withdrawals, cashed checks, wire transfers, and debit purchases directly to themselves. The scheme spanned from 2017 through at least 2020.

“Monica Cannon-Grant repeatedly scammed multiple public financial programs and stole money donated by members of the public who believed their donations would aid in reducing violence and promote social awareness,” stated United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. “Instead, Cannon-Grant used donations to satisfy her own greed, while falsely portraying herself as a legitimate nonprofit organizer. She betrayed the trust of everyone who donated and the public who supported her fraudulent charity.” The fraud wasn’t limited to private donations; Cannon-Grant also defrauded the City of Boston out of COVID-19 relief funds, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office out of Community Reinvestment Grant funds, and evaded taxes for two years while failing to file returns for another two.

Federal investigators from multiple agencies echoed Foley’s sentiments. Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Boston Division, emphasized the commitment to holding accountable those who exploit public trust. Jonathan R. Mellone, Special Agent-in-Charge of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, highlighted the impact of the fraud on vital unemployment resources during the pandemic. “She illegally enriched herself as part of a scheme that fraudulently diverted vital taxpayer resources away from those in need of unemployment insurance benefits,” Mellone said.

As admitted in court, Cannon-Grant falsely presented herself as an uncompensated director of VIB while systematically looting the organization’s accounts. The full extent of the funds diverted remains under scrutiny, but authorities confirm “thousands of dollars” in donor money was misused. This case serves as a stark reminder that even those who cloak themselves in the guise of community service can be driven by personal greed, and that federal authorities will pursue justice, no matter how cleverly concealed the crime.”

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