Federal authorities say a local nonprofit director lied to get pandemic unemployment assistance when he was employed, and further claimed the nonprofit’s bank account as his own when applying for a several hundred thousand dollar mortgage loan.
Clark Grant, 38, is a director at Violence In Boston, according to the organization’s filings with the state, and is married to the founder, Monica Cannon-Grant, who started the prominent nonprofit that provides services to victims of violence. He was arrested Tuesday and charged with one count of wire fraud and one count of false statements on a loan and credit application.
According to an affidavit by a federal agent assigned to the case, Grant wrongfully claimed around $68,000 in federal unemployment benefits designated for people who were not able to work because of the COVID-19 pandemic, even though he was fully employed.
Grant was released, on conditions that include giving up his passport and restriction of travel to the continental United States, following an initial appearance before a federal judge in Boston Tuesday afternoon. He is also not allowed to apply for any unemployment or government benefits without prior approval.
The scheme allegedely began in May of 2020, when Grant applied for unemployment aid for a period dating back to March of last year and continuing through September 2021. He received around $61,000 in wages from his job last year, according to his 2020 tax filings.
In addition to the unemployment assistance scheme, Grant is alleged to have claimed the bank account of Violence in Boston as his own to apply for a mortgage for a home. A mortgage company based in Chicago granted Grant a loan of approximately $410,000, according to court documents.
Violence in Boston did not immediately respond to a request for comment from GBH News.
