Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has filed a civil suit accusing We Push For Peace and its former leaders of diverting about $6.5 million in charitable funds for personal use. Prosecutors allege Trahern Pollard pocketed more than $6 million and used funds for trips, luxury vehicles and to subsidize private businesses, while treasurer Jaclyn McGuigan allegedly funneled recurring weekly payments into her own account. The complaint also says the charity failed to respond during a major enforcement operation and that Pollard created for-profit entities, including "Change Makers," to siphon remaining revenue. These are allegations in a pending civil case seeking recovery and accountability.
Minnesota Charity Collapses After $6.5M Allegedly Siphoned to Fund Vegas Trips, Luxury Cars and Private Liquor Store
Minnesota nonprofit accused of siphoning $6.5M to fund Vegas trips, luxury cars, private liquor store
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has filed a civil suit against We Push For Peace and its former directors, Trahern Pollard and Jaclyn McGuigan, alleging that roughly $6.5 million in charitable funds were diverted for personal use and private businesses.
FILE - Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison speaks at a Community Empowerment speaker series at the Bridge Center in Detroit, Mich., on May 7, 2025.(Getty Images)
Details Of The Allegations
According to the complaint, Pollard is accused of personally receiving more than $6 million from the nonprofit and using those funds to underwrite a lavish lifestyle — including trips to Las Vegas, luxury vehicles and large purchases at a Harley-Davidson showroom and spa retailers. Prosecutors also allege he used nonprofit money to pay child support, settle a personal IRS tax bill and subsidize private for-profit ventures, such as a used car dealership and a liquor store.
FILE- FBI and law enforcement agents raid Mini Childcare (formerly Mako Childcare) in south Minneapolis on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Mini Childcare was one of 22 sites targeted Tuesday morning as part of a fraud probe in Minnesota.
McGuigan, who served as the charity's treasurer, is accused of diverting recurring transfers of roughly $1,000 per week into her personal account and mischaracterizing additional government grant money as "administrative" expenses for her own benefit.
FILE - Keith Ellison speaks during a Level of Justice panel discussion at the United Justice Coalition's inaugural Social Justice Summit in New York City on July 23, 2022.
Operational Failures And Alleged Cover-Up
Prosecutors say the organization — which once held lucrative community-outreach and violence-prevention contracts — was ravaged by "rampant abuse" and self-dealing, leaving it unable to perform critical duties. When the City of Minneapolis sought the group's help during Operation Metro Surge, a major Homeland Security enforcement operation, the charity allegedly proved "utterly incapable" of responding.
As state investigators began questioning the nonprofit, the complaint alleges Pollard submitted false statements under penalty of perjury, mislabeling personal payments (for example, calling a child-support payment "nonprofit overhead" and describing a $35,000 payout to acquaintances as "Chicago payroll"). Prosecutors further claim Pollard quickly incorporated sham for-profit entities — including a company called "Change Makers" — and redirected community-liaison contracts and remaining nonprofit revenue to those private companies, including a contract tied to Whole Foods.
"Instead of helping the community, they helped themselves to millions of dollars that should have gone into the community," Attorney General Keith Ellison said in a statement announcing the suit.
The filings describe civil allegations; the court process will determine liability and any remedies. The lawsuit seeks to recover diverted funds and to hold the former leaders accountable for their actions.
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