Minnesota Sues Violence-Prevention Nonprofit Over Alleged $6.5 Million Fraud
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison on Friday, May 8, 2026, sued the violence-prevention nonprofit We Push for Peace and two former directors, accusing them of diverting about $6.5 million in charitable funds.[1]
The civil complaint says roughly $6.5 million in charitable funds were diverted and that more than $6 million was personally pocketed by former director Trahern Pollard.[1] State prosecutors say the money paid for Las Vegas trips, luxury vehicles, large retail purchases, child support and tax payments, and helped finance Pollard's private car dealership and a private liquor store.[1]
The complaint alleges Pollard created a purported for-profit arm and formed a company called Change Makers to drain remaining revenue and divert community contracts once the attorney general's office began asking questions.[1] Prosecutors also allege former director Jaclyn McGuigan moved $1,000 per week of nonprofit money into her personal account and took extra grant funds under the guise of administrative costs.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- On Friday, May 8, 2026, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced a civil lawsuit against We Push for Peace and former directors Trahern Pollard and Jaclyn McGuigan.
- The complaint alleges roughly $6.5 million in charitable funds were diverted, with more than $6 million personally pocketed by Pollard.
- Alleged uses of nonprofit money include Las Vegas trips, luxury vehicles, large retail purchases, child support and tax payments, and capital for Pollard’s private car dealership and liquor store.
- McGuigan allegedly transferred $1,000 per week of nonprofit money into her own account and took additional grant funds under the guise of administrative costs.
- State prosecutors say Pollard created a purported for‑profit arm and a new company, Change Makers, to drain remaining revenue and divert community contracts once the attorney general’s office began asking questions.
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