Tony Robinson, 41, of Minneapolis, made his first court appearance following an indictment charging him with five counts of wire fraud and conspiracy. The charges relate to a scheme involving the non-profit organization Encouraging Leaders, where Robinson served as operations director. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Daniel N. Rosen.
According to authorities, Encouraging Leaders' founder Tezzaree El-Amin Champion used the organization to submit fraudulent grant applications and progress reports to both government and private grant programs. Substantial portions of these funds were misused, with participants including Champion and Robinson allegedly retaining money for personal use.
Robinson is accused of participating in the scheme from December 2021 through October 2022. During this time, he reportedly worked with a freelance worker based in Africa to draft and submit false progress reports to organizations that had awarded grants to Encouraging Leaders.
Specific allegations state that Robinson prepared false reports for several organizations, including the U.S. Department of Justice—which provides grants focused on juvenile justice and substance-abuse prevention—the Minnesota State Arts Board—which supports theaters, museums, choirs, and arts organizations in Minnesota—and Non-Profit A, a youth-learning focused organization founded by the McKnight Foundation.
The indictment claims that Robinson's reports stated Encouraging Leaders used grant funds for events and activities that did not take place or exaggerated its involvement in events that did occur. Some reports also claimed assistance was provided to students who had not been helped.
Authorities estimate that more than $1 million in losses resulted from the alleged fraud during Robinson’s involvement with Encouraging Leaders.
Tezzaree El-Amin Champion was charged separately and pled guilty earlier this year. On November 18, 2025, U.S. District Judge Katherine M. Menendez sentenced Champion to 84 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release and ordered restitution totaling $3,479,575. In her remarks at sentencing Judge Menendez said Champion’s conduct was “relentless” and “reflects a scale and a depth that is disturbing.”
The investigation into this case involved multiple agencies: the United States Postal Inspection Service, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Division, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and Minneapolis Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph H. Thompson and Matthew D. Forbes are prosecuting the case.
Authorities remind the public that an indictment is an allegation; defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
