Monica Cannon-Grant, a Boston social-justice activist once named Bostonian of the Year, pleaded guilty to multiple federal fraud charges and was sentenced to four years of probation. She was ordered to pay $106,003 in restitution after prosecutors said she and her late husband diverted nonprofit and pandemic-relief funds for personal use. Prosecutors had sought an 18-month prison term; the nonprofit VIB suspended operations following Cannon-Grant’s indictment in 2022.
Former “Bostonian of the Year” Monica Cannon-Grant Sentenced To Probation, Ordered To Pay $106,003 In Federal Fraud Case
Social justice advocate once named Bostonian of the Year sentenced in fraud case
Monica Cannon-Grant, a prominent Boston community and social-justice activist once honored as a Bostonian of the Year, was sentenced Thursday to four years of probation and ordered to pay $106,003 in restitution after pleading guilty to multiple federal fraud charges, the Justice Department said.
Monica Cannon-Grant speaks during a Black Lives Matter rally in front of Boston Police Headquarters Sept. 22, 2020, in Boston.(Getty Images)
Case Details
Cannon-Grant, 44, pleaded guilty in September 2025 to 18 of 27 counts, including wire fraud, mail fraud and failing to file tax returns. Federal prosecutors said the charges stem from a scheme in which Cannon-Grant and her late husband, Clark Grant, diverted donations and public relief funds intended for their nonprofit, Violence In Boston (VIB), to pay for personal expenses.
Monica Cannon-Grant, center, speaks during a Juneteenth protest in Boston. Cannon-Grant was sentenced to probation in a federal fraud case, the Justice Department said Thursday.
“Ms. Cannon-Grant’s actions were crimes of greed and opportunity,” said Nicolas Bucciarelli, acting inspector in charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Boston Division.
Allegations and Financial Details
Prosecutors allege the couple used nearly $54,000 in pandemic relief funds for personal use, applied nonprofit funds toward an auto loan and insurance payments, and collected roughly $100,000 in unlawful unemployment benefits. Authorities also say they conspired to obtain $12,600 in rental assistance from Boston’s Office of Housing Stability by misrepresenting household income and submitted forged employment documents to secure nearly $44,000 in unemployment benefits for a family member.
Monica Cannon-Grant leads marchers during a protest march in honor of Rayshard Brooks, sponsored by Black Lives Matter Boston and Violence in Boston Inc., June 22, 2020, in Boston.
Federal filings further state Cannon-Grant filed false tax returns for 2017 and 2018 and failed to file returns for 2019 and 2020. Prosecutors had recommended an 18-month prison sentence; the judge imposed probation instead.
Nonprofit Impact and Public Profile
Alongside her husband, Cannon-Grant founded VIB, an anti-violence nonprofit dedicated to community outreach in Boston. She was a well-known figure in local activism and received awards in 2020, including The Boston Globe Magazine’s “Bostonian of the Year” and a Boston Celtics “Heroes Among Us” honor. After her 2022 indictment, VIB announced it was suspending programs and winding down operations, although the organization’s social media has seen intermittent activity since then.
This sentencing closes a high-profile federal case that has drawn attention because of Cannon-Grant’s public standing and the alleged misuse of funds intended to help communities affected by the pandemic and economic hardship.
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