Tony Robinson Indicted in Minneapolis Nonprofit Grant-Fraud Case
Prosecutors say the former operations director at Encouraging Leaders helped file false progress reports to retain public funds.
Overview
- Tony Robinson, 41, made an initial court appearance on December 1 after a federal grand jury indicted him on five counts of wire fraud and conspiracy.
- Charging documents allege that from December 2021 to October 2022 he worked with a freelance worker in Africa to draft and submit false progress reports for the nonprofit Encouraging Leaders.
- Prosecutors say the scheme targeted multiple funders, including the U.S. Department of Justice, Hennepin County, the City of Minneapolis, the Minnesota Departments of Education and Human Services, and the Minnesota State Arts Board.
- Authorities allege losses of more than $1 million during Robinson’s involvement, while court records indicate Encouraging Leaders received over $2.7 million in grants overall.
- Founder Tezzaree El-Amin Champion has pleaded guilty and was sentenced on November 18 to 84 months in prison with $3,479,575 in restitution, as investigators from the Postal Inspection Service, IRS–CI, the Minnesota BCA, and Minneapolis Police continue the case; Robinson is presumed innocent.