A Minnesota \u201cviolence interruption\u201d charity has collapsed after its leaders allegedly used $6.5 million worth of\u00a0charitable funds to bankroll lavish\u00a0lifestyles and a private liquor store.<\/p>\n
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced on Friday a civil lawsuit against nonprofit We Push for Peace and its former directors, Trahern Pollard and Jaclyn McGuigan.<\/p>\n
The organization, which held lucrative contracts for community outreach and violence prevention, was driven into the ground by \u201crampant abuse\u201d and blatant self-dealing, prosecutors allege.<\/p>\n
According to the complaint, Pollard personally pocketed more than $6 million of the diverted charitable funds. Instead of helping the community, the charity\u2019s money allegedly fueled a life of luxury for Pollard, paying for trips to Las Vegas,\u00a0luxury vehicles and massive shopping\u00a0sprees at a Harley Davidson showroom and spa stores.<\/p>\n
Pollard is also accused of using the nonprofit to pay off his child support, settle a personal tax bill with the IRS, and subsidize his private, for-profit businesses \u2014 including a used car dealership and liquor store.<\/p>\n
We Push for Peace founder Trahern Pollard is accused of using $6M in\u00a0charitable funds to bankroll a lavish\u00a0lifestyle. Instagram<\/p>\n
The organization was driven into the ground by \u201crampant abuse\u201d and blatant self-dealing, prosecutors allege. Instagram<\/p>\n
McGuigan, who acted as the charity\u2019s treasurer, allegedly transferred a recurring $1,000 per week of\u00a0nonprofit funds into her own\u00a0personal account and stole thousands more in government grant funds that she claimed were for \u201cadministrative\u201d expenses.<\/p>\n
\u201cInstead of helping the community, they helped themselves to millions of dollars that should have gone into the community,\u201d Ellison wrote in a statement.<\/p>\n