Connect with us

Minneapolis, MN

Minneapolis man charged in million-dollar fraud scheme

Published

on

Minneapolis man charged in million-dollar fraud scheme


A Minneapolis man is accused of participating in a fraud scheme that stole more than $1 million in state, federal and local grants.

Tony Robinson, 41, is charged with five counts of wire fraud and conspiracy offenses, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Minnesota.

The attorney’s office said from December 2021 to October 2022, Robinson facilitated the submission of false grant progress reports for an organization called Encouraging Leaders.

“Robinson’s reports claimed Encouraging Leaders used grant funds to organize events and activities that never occurred, and overstated Encouraging Leaders’ involvement in events that had occurred,” the attorney’s office said. “Robinson’s reports also falsely claimed that Encouraging Leaders had assisted various students, when in fact it had not.”

Advertisement

Robinson is accused of defrauding the U.S. Department of Justice, Hennepin County, the city of Minneapolis, the Minnesota departments of education and human services, the Minnesota State Arts Board and other agencies.

Tezzaree El-Amin Champion, who founded Encouraging Leaders, pleaded guilty to wire fraud, money laundering and illegally possessing a firearm as a felon in February. He was sentenced last month to seven years in prison and five years of supervised release. He also must pay nearly $3.5 million in restitution.

Encouraging Leaders received more than $2.7 million in grants, much of which Champion took for himself, according to court records. During Robinson’s alleged involvement in the scheme, more than $1 million was fraudulently taken.

Champion also engaged in fraud using a marketing company he owned called Futuristic Management, court records show. That group stole more than $2.1 million. His co-defendant in that case, Marcus Hamilton, also pleaded guilty.

Advertisement



Source link

Minneapolis, MN

United flight from Chicago to Minneapolis diverted to Wisconsin due to unruly passenger: officials

Published

on

United flight from Chicago to Minneapolis diverted to Wisconsin due to unruly passenger: officials


ByABC7 Chicago Digital Team

Saturday, May 30, 2026 3:58AM

ABC7 Chicago 24/7 Stream

CHICAGO (WLS) — A United Airlines flight that left Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport Friday was diverted due to an unruly passenger, officials said.

United flight 2005 from Chicago was headed to Minneapolis but landed in Madison, Wisconsin.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

“United flight 2005 from Chicago to Minneapolis landed safely in Madison, Wisconsin to address a security concern with an unruly passenger,” the airline said in a statement. “The flight is expected to continue to Minneapolis later on Friday.”

No injuries were reported, United said.

Advertisement

No further information was immediately available.

This is a developing story.

Copyright © 2026 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Minneapolis, MN

ICE agent charged with assault in shooting during Minneapolis immigration crackdown is arrested in Texas | CNN

Published

on

ICE agent charged with assault in shooting during Minneapolis immigration crackdown is arrested in Texas | CNN


An ICE agent facing several assault charges in connection with a January shooting involving two Venezuelan people in Minnesota has been arrested in Texas, the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office said.

Christian Castro was charged earlier this month with four counts of second-degree assault and one count of falsely reporting a crime.

CNN is working to determine whether Castro has an attorney and has reached out to the Department of Homeland Security for comment.

Castro faces those charges in connection with the shooting of Julio Sosa-Celis, a Venezuelan man shot in the leg through the front door of a Minneapolis home. The incident took place during the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement blitz in the Twin Cities.

Advertisement

Originally, Sosa-Celis and his cousin Alfredo A. Aljorna were facing federal charges after DHS said they had attacked an agent, prompting him to fire a defensive shot.

But the Justice Department dropped the charges in February, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement said two of its agents, who made false statements about the incident under oath, were placed on administrative leave.

This is a developing story and will be updated.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Minneapolis, MN

Air quality alert issued for Friday in Twin Cities

Published

on

Air quality alert issued for Friday in Twin Cities


The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has issued an air quality alert for the Twin Cities starting Friday. 

Air quality alert in Twin Cities

Advertisement

What we know:

MPCA says that ground-level ozone will be at unhealthy levels in the Twin Cities on Friday. An air quality will be in place from noon to 9 p.m. 

An air quality alert in the Twin Cities. Graphic courtesy of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.  (Supplied)

Advertisement

Sunny skies, low humidity and warm temperatures make for favorable conditions pollutants to react with sunlight to make ground-level ozone. MPCA says the ozone will subside as the sun sets. 

Who is most affected by poor air quality?

Dig deeper:

Advertisement

People with asthma or other breathing conditions like COPD, chronic bronchitis and emphysema will be affected by poor quality. They can experience symptoms like difficulty deep breathing, shortness of breath, throat soreness, wheezing, coughing and unusual fatigue. 

Additionally, children, teenagers and people of all ages who are doing heavy physical activity outside. 

Advertisement

What you can do:

MPCA recommends taking it easy while outside and limiting physical activity.

To help reduce pollution, use public transit or carpool when possible, fill up your car’s tank at dawn or dusk and avoid backyard fires.

Advertisement

The Source: A press release from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. 

WeatherMinnesota



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending