Social justice advocate once named Bostonian of the Year sentenced in fraud case

A well-known community and social justice activist who founded a Boston nonprofit to reduce violence and who was once was lauded as Bostonian of the Year avoided jail time in a federal fraud case, the Justice Department said Thursday. 

Monica Cannon-Grant, 44, pleaded guilty in September 2025 to 18 of 27 counts, including wire fraud, mail fraud and failing to file tax returns related to a scheme in which Cannon-Grant and her late husband, Clark Grant, pocketed thousands of dollars in donations to their nonprofit.

She was sentenced Thursday to four years probation. She was also ordered to pay $106,003 in restitution. Federal prosecutors recommended U.S. District Court Judge Angel Kelley sentence Cannon-Grant to 18 months in prison. 

ONE CHART LAYS BARE THE SPRAWLING FRAUD NETWORK MINNESOTA OFFICIALS MISSED

"Ms. Cannon-Grant’s actions were crimes of greed and opportunity," said Nicolas Bucciarelli, acting inspector in charge of the U...