Civil lawsuit alleges embezzlement of $6.5M by We Push for Peace directors

Court documents allege Pollard filed false statements under penalty of perjury as investigators scrutinised the charity's finances: he described a child support payment as 'nonprofit overhead' and claimed that a $35,000 payment made to personal friends was for 'Chicago payroll.' The filings also allege misuses of funds to pay for Las Vegas trips, luxury vehicles, and shopping sprees, and to funnel money to private for-profit businesses. McGuigan, who served as treasurer, allegedly transferred $1,000 per week into her own personal account and allowed thousands more in government grant funds to be redirected as 'administrative' expenses.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced a civil lawsuit against the Minnesota-based nonprofit We Push for Peace and its former directors, Trahern Pollard and Jaclyn McGuigan. Prosecutors allege embezzlement of over $6.5 million in charitable funds to finance a lavish lifestyle, including Las Vegas trips, luxury vehicles, and large shopping sprees, while funds meant for outreach and violence prevention were misused. The filing describes rampant abuse and self-dealing that damaged the organization; Pollard is accused of using embezzled funds for personal expenses and to fund private for-profit businesses, while McGuigan, the treasurer, is accused of transferring $1,000 per week to her personal account and redirecting government grant funds as administrative expenses. Prosecutors note the organization was once trusted to handle millions of dollars but was unable to respond during Minneapolis's Operation Metro Surge, a large Homeland Security enforcement initiative.