Monica Cannon-Grant, the founder and former CEO of Violence in Boston (VIB), was sentenced in federal court in Boston for a range of fraud-related offenses. Cannon-Grant, 44, received four years of probation, including six months of home detention and 100 hours of community service. She must pay $106,003 in restitution, with the amount of forfeiture to be determined later. Prosecutors had recommended an 18-month prison term.
Cannon-Grant pleaded guilty in September 2025 to 18 counts, including wire fraud conspiracy, wire fraud, mail fraud, filing false tax returns, and failing to file tax returns. She was originally charged along with her late husband Clark Grant in a broader indictment; his charges were dismissed after his death.
According to prosecutors, Cannon-Grant misused donations made to VIB for personal expenses and defrauded several public programs designed to help those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. These included funds from the City of Boston’s Resiliency Fund and rental assistance program as well as grants from the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office. Authorities also said she filed false tax returns for two years and failed to file them for two additional years.
Cannon-Grant had been recognized in 2020 as a “Bostonian of the Year” and praised for her social justice advocacy.
“Monica Cannon-Grant’s crimes were not a momentary lapse in judgment — they were a calculated pattern of deception that spanned years. She repeatedly lied to donors, government agencies, and the public, even after being caught — all while presenting herself as a champion for others. Fraud disguised as activism or charity is still fraud. You don’t get partial credit for stealing,” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. “This case makes clear that exploiting public trust for personal enrichment is a serious federal crime, no matter how it is packaged.”
“Ms. Cannon-Grant’s actions were crimes of greed and opportunity but will not go unpunished thanks to the law enforcement community, who have dedicated their mission to uncovering and putting an end to such devious schemes. This case illustrates that anyone who defrauds state programs and exploits their position in the community will be held accountable for their actions. Postal inspectors are ever vigilant in bringing to justice individuals who use the U.S. Mail to defraud and otherwise take advantage of the financial circumstances of innocent consumers,” said Nicolas Bucciarelli, Acting Inspector in Charge, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division.
“Monica Cannon-Grant illegally enriched herself through a scheme that fraudulently diverted critical taxpayer resources from individuals who depended on unemployment insurance benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic. This case reinforces our unwavering commitment to protecting the integrity of the unemployment insurance program,” said Anthony P. D’Esposito, Inspector General, Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General. “We will continue to work closely with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners to safeguard vital U.S. Department of Labor programs and ensure accountability for those who seek to exploit them.”
“This case against Monica Cannon-Grant demonstrates IRS-CI’s commitment to protecting all American citizens, especially those who are in need of assistance like those that Cannon-Grant claimed to care about,” said Thomas Demeo, Special Agent in Charge of Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation’s Boston Field Office. “Cannon-Grant not only stole from her own non-profit organization but did so at the expense of multiple public financial programs designed to help those truly in need. While Cannon-Grant personally profited from her own scheme, those in the communities seeking a lifeline from her organization had to go without.”
Authorities detailed how between 2017 and at least 2020 Cannon-Grant presented herself as an uncompensated director while using VIB funds for personal purposes through cash withdrawals and other means. Investigators found she used false information when applying for grants from both public agencies and private entities.
The case involved collaboration among multiple agencies: The U.S. Attorney’s Office led by Leah B. Foley; U.S Postal Inspection Service; Department of Labor Office of Inspector General; IRS Criminal Investigation; U.S Postal Service Office of Inspector General; and Massachusetts Inspector General Jeffrey Shapiro.
In May 2021, the Attorney General established a task force aimed at increasing efforts across government departments to prevent pandemic-related frauds by enhancing coordination among agencies investigating misuse related to COVID-19 relief funding (https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus).
The Department urges anyone with knowledge about attempted COVID-19-related frauds or scams involving disaster relief funds to report it via its National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or online (https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form).