Leah B. Foley United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts | Department of Justice
Monica Cannon-Grant, the founder and former CEO of Violence in Boston (VIB), pleaded guilty in federal court to 18 counts including wire fraud conspiracy, wire fraud, mail fraud, filing false tax returns, and failing to file tax returns. The plea was entered before U.S. District Court Judge Angel Kelley, who scheduled sentencing for January 29, 2026.
Cannon-Grant, 44, admitted to misusing donations intended for VIB by diverting funds for personal expenses. She also defrauded the City of Boston out of COVID-19 relief funds and rental assistance money, and defrauded the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office out of Community Reinvestment Grant funds. The charges included making false statements on grant applications and concealing income to obtain pandemic-related aid.
Her late husband and co-conspirator Clark Grant had been charged alongside her but his charges were dismissed after his death in May 2023.
VIB was established in 2017 with a mission to reduce violence and support community causes in Greater Boston. According to court documents, Cannon-Grant represented herself as an uncompensated director while using organizational accounts for personal benefit through cash withdrawals and transfers.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley stated: “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. 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,” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. “Today’s plea demonstrates once again that no one is above the rule of law.”
Ketty Larco-Ward from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service commented: “Today’s guilty plea underscores our commitment to investigating and holding accountable anyone who commits fraud. Ms. Cannon-Grant defrauded several state programs and exploited her position in the community to line her own pockets,” said Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Boston Division. “This investigation showcases the results that postal inspectors strive to achieve in collaboration with our law enforcement partners. The successful resolution through a plea is a result of the strong investigative work, dedication and partnership of postal inspectors and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. I commend the relentless work and commitment to ensuring justice was achieved by all those involved.”
Jonathan R. Mellone from the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General added: “Monica Cannon-Grant illegally enriched herself as part of a scheme that fraudulently diverted vital taxpayer resources away from those in need of unemployment insurance benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic,” stated Jonathan R. Mellone, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Northeast Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General. “Protecting the integrity of the unemployment insurance program remains one of our highest priorities, and we will continue to work closely with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our other law enforcement partners to protect the integrity of U.S. Department of Labor programs and operations.”
The prosecution outlined how Cannon-Grant withdrew thousands from VIB accounts following grants from organizations like Boston Resiliency Fund—a fund set up by city officials during COVID-19—and failed to report these personal uses or additional household income when applying for further relief such as rental assistance or unemployment benefits.
The charges carry potential sentences ranging up to 20 years for wire fraud-related counts; lesser maximums apply for tax offenses.
Officials from several agencies including IRS Criminal Investigation joined today’s announcement about Cannon-Grant’s plea.
The Department of Justice continues its efforts against pandemic-related fraud through its COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force (https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus). Individuals can report suspected COVID-relief related fraud via hotline or online complaint form (https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form).
