Nonprofit Executive and Consultant Admit to $6 Million Fraud Scheme
Tezzaree El-Amin Champion, a 28-year-old nonprofit executive and business consultant from Minneapolis, has pleaded guilty to orchestrating a scheme that defrauded federal, state, local, and private funding sources out of more than $6 million. From 2020 to 2024, Champion, through his entities Futuristic Management LLC and Encouraging Leaders, submitted at least 42 fraudulent grant and contract applications to organizations including the U.S. Department of Justice and the Minnesota Department of Education. Falsehoods ranged from fabricated board rosters to misrepresented partnerships. Champion also misused substantial portions of the funds for personal expenses. He has agreed to restitution of at least $3,479,575, with sentencing hearings forthcoming.