An organization dedicated to curbing violence in Minnesota has abruptly shut down after its leadership allegedly misappropriated $6.5 million in charitable funds to support extravagant personal lifestyles and finance a private liquor store.

On Friday, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced a civil lawsuit against the nonprofit We Push for Peace and its former leaders, Trahern Pollard and Jaclyn McGuigan.

The charity, once known for securing significant contracts aimed at community outreach and violence prevention, reportedly fell victim to extensive misuse and self-serving actions by its management, according to prosecutors.

The lawsuit claims Pollard alone misused over $6 million of the charity’s funds. Rather than benefiting the community, these funds allegedly financed a luxurious lifestyle, including trips to Las Vegas, high-end vehicles, and lavish shopping sprees at a Harley Davidson showroom and spa outlets.

FILE – Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison addresses a Community Empowerment event at the Bridge Center in Detroit, Mich., on May 7, 2025. (Monica Morgan/Getty Images)

Pollard is also accused of using the nonprofit to pay off his child support, settle a personal tax bill with the IRS, and subsidize his private, for-profit businesses — including a used car dealership and liquor store.

McGuigan, who acted as the charity’s treasurer, allegedly transferred a recurring $1,000 per week of nonprofit funds into her own personal account and stole thousands more in government grant funds that she claimed were for “administrative” expenses.

“Instead of helping the community, they helped themselves to millions of dollars that should have gone into the community,” Ellison wrote in a statement.

FILE- FBI and law enforcement agents raid Mini Childcare (formerly Mako Childcare) in south Minneapolis on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Mini Childcare was one of 22 sites targeted Tuesday morning as part of a fraud probe in Minnesota. (Anthony Souffle/The Minnesota Star Tribune via Getty Images)

Prosecutors noted that when the City of Minneapolis requested the nonprofit’s assistance during Operation Metro Surge, a major Homeland Security enforcement operation in Minnesota, the once-multimillion-dollar organization was “utterly incapable” of answering the call.

When state investigators began closing in, Pollard allegedly submitted false statements under the penalty of perjury, falsely claiming a child support payment was “nonprofit overhead” and that a $35,000 payout to his personal friends was “Chicago payroll.”

FILE – Keith Ellison speaks during a Level of Justice panel discussion at the United Justice Coalition’s inaugural Social Justice Summit in New York City on July 23, 2022. (Shareif Ziyadat/Getty Images)

To justify the missing millions, prosecutors claim Pollard quickly incorporated a fake “for-profit arm” of the charity just days after the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office began asking questions.

He also allegedly set up another new, for-profit corporation called “Change Makers” to drain the nonprofit’s remaining revenue and diverted lucrative community liaison contracts, including a deal with Whole Foods, away from the charity and straight into his newly formed private company, according to court documents.

California Governor Gavin Newsom is under fire amid allegations of corruption following his decision to allocate $20 million in taxpayer funds to a nonprofit organization. This nonprofit is reportedly led by an executive who also serves on the board of his wife’s gender equity advocacy group.

The controversy centers around the “Golden State Start” initiative, which was launched as a Mother’s Day special. The program, a collaboration between the state and Los Angeles-based nonprofit Baby2Baby, aims to distribute free diapers to newborns through hospitals across California.

This initiative, however, has sparked intense scrutiny regarding the selection process of the nonprofit and its connections to Newsom’s political and personal circles.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton criticized the program over the weekend, highlighting the financial inefficiency. “If you break down the cost of each diaper based on the funds being spent, it amounts to 50 cents per diaper. That’s significantly more expensive compared to purchasing in bulk at a store like Costco,” Hilton remarked. “And where’s the funding coming from? It’s coming from taxpayers.”

“But where’s the money coming from? Us.”

Siebel Newsom co-founded the California Partners Project, which helped facilitate the partnership.

Her non-profit works to increase women’s representation in leadership, and Norah Weinstein sits on the board.

Weinstein is also the co-CEO of Baby2Baby. She has run the organization since 2011 alongside co-CEO Kelly Sawyer Patricof.

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That detail is what critics point to as evidence of overlapping influence between state-funded programs and affiliated nonprofit networks.

“Instead of taking our money, putting into some scheme that benefits their friends and cronies,” Hilton said, “why don’t they let us just keep more of our money in the first place so we can decide how to spend our money?”

Patricof’s family ties have also drawn attention from critics, including her marriage to film producer Jamie Patricof, whose father, Alan Patricof, is a longtime Democratic donor with deep ties to the Clinton-era political network.

The state has committed roughly $20 million to the program, including $7.4 million already approved and another $12.5 million proposed in the 2026–2027 budget cycle, positioning it as a major expansion of statewide diaper access for newborns.

Backlash has been swift and highly critical, with many questioning both the structure and cost of the initiative.

Many questioned the program‘s scale, arguing that comparable bulk retail prices are significantly lower.

Another person pointed to Baby2Baby’s reported financial position and political relationships, alleging the organization operates more like a politically connected network than a traditional charity. Those claims were not independently verified.

The California Post reached out to Newsom’s office and Baby2Baby for comment.

Despite the criticism, Newsom has promoted “Golden State Start” as a flagship child welfare initiative, calling it “a first-in-the-nation program to provide free diapers to all new babies born in California.”

Bobby Cox, the legendary manager of the Atlanta Braves who dominated the National League in the 1990s and clinched a World Series victory in 1995, has passed away at the age of 84.

The Atlanta Braves shared the news of Cox’s passing on Saturday, though specifics have not been disclosed. Cox had suffered a stroke in 2019.

In a heartfelt statement, the Braves described Cox as “the greatest manager to ever don a Braves uniform.” They highlighted his leadership that brought the team 14 consecutive division championships, five National League titles, and the cherished 1995 World Series triumph, asserting that his managerial legacy with the Braves is unparalleled.

Cox took over a last-place team in June 1990 and led the Braves to a worst-to-first finish in 1991, losing the World Series to the Minnesota Twins in seven games. That was the start of what was to be a record 14 consecutive division titles, a feat no professional team in any sport had accomplished.

He managed the Braves for 25 years and led Atlanta to its only World Series title in 1995. He retired after the 2010 season and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014.

“Bobby was a favorite among all in the baseball community, especially those who played for him. His wealth of knowledge on player development and the intricacies of managing the game were rewarded with the sport’s ultimate prize in 2014 — enshrinement into the Baseball Hall of Fame,” the Braves said.

As of Saturday, Cox ranks fourth all-time with 2,504 wins, fifth with 4,508 games, first with 15 division titles including a record 14 in a row, first with 16 playoff appearances and fourth with 67 playoff victories.

Only Connie Mack, John McGraw and Tony La Russa had more regular-season wins than Cox. His 158 regular-season ejections also was the most among managers.

“He is the Atlanta Braves,” catcher Brian McCann said in 2019. “He’s the best.”

McCann described Cox as an “icon” and “one of the best human beings any of us have ever met.”

The Braves retired Cox’s No. 6 jersey in 2011, when he joined the team’s Hall of Fame.

Cox spent 29 seasons as a major league manager, including four with Toronto. He managed 16 postseason teams. He brought an old-school approach to the dugout. He always wore spikes and stirrups, and his fatherly demeanor inspired loyalty from his players.

The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office revealed on Saturday that their search of the residence belonging to the mother of Kristin Smart’s convicted killer did not lead to the discovery of her remains.

Officials confirmed the completion of the investigation at the Arroyo Grande, California home of Susan Flores, mother of Paul Flores, who was convicted of Smart’s murder. The search took place in the 500 block of East Branch Street.

The sheriff’s office said ‘we did not recover Kristin Smart’ and refused to say specifically what evidence they had found. 

In a released statement, authorities emphasized their unwavering dedication to locating Kristin Smart and reuniting her with her family.

Investigators will now assess any materials gathered during the search to advance their ongoing investigation.

The search operation at Flores’ property on Wednesday employed ground-penetrating radar and specialized soil analysis, rekindling hopes of discovering Smart’s whereabouts nearly 30 years after her disappearance.

Smart disappeared more than 30 years ago while attending California Polytechnic State University and was legally declared dead in 2002.

Paul Flores, her former classmate, was convicted of her murder in 2022. Smart’s remains have never been found. 

Kristin Smart, the California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo student who disappeared in 1996 and was declared dead in 2002

The human remains were found at the home of Susan Flores (pictured), the mother of Smart’s killer Paul Flores. Susan has never faced criminal charges related to Smart’s death 

In Saturday’s update, law enforcement said they would not provide any further information.

San Luis Obispo County Sheriff Ian Parkinson had said Friday that that Flores remained a person of interest in the decades–old case. 

Parkinson said prosecutors could pursue charges if investigators uncovered enough evidence to build a case. 

‘She can still be prosecuted as an accessory if we can make that link,’ Parkinson said. 

He said that had happened with Flores’ ex–husband, Ruben Flores. He was charged with helping conceal Smart’s body but was acquitted of being an accessory after the fact. 

When asked if investigators were receiving results that were ‘consistent with human remains presence,’ Parkinson said, ‘Correct.’

Authorities explained that they would file as many search warrants as needed. 

‘We’re prepared to go as long as it takes until we either find Kristin, find evidence and are satisfied that everything has been searched,’ Parkinson said. 

Authorities conducted a search of the garage of Susan Flores’ property on Wednesday 

Paul Flores, seen in 2006, was convicted of murdering Smart in 2022. He is serving a life sentence in prison 

The search warrant for Flores’ home prevented her from re–entering until the search was complete.

The sheriff’s office had access to the whole property and a portion of a neighboring yard.   

Smart went missing from California Polytechnic State University in 1996 and was declared dead six years later.

Prosecutors alleged she was killed during an attempted rape and that the last person she was seen with was Paul Flores, a fellow student.

He claimed at the time that he walked Smart home from an off-campus party and parted ways.

Him and his father Ruben were arrested in 2021, with prosecutors alleging that Smart’s body had been buried on Ruben’s property before being moved.

Paul Flores was convicted of her murder and is serving a 25 years-to-life sentence. 

Investigators again noted this week that they believed Smart’s body had been moved.

‘Kristin has been moved, and we don’t know how many times she’s been moved and where she’s moved,’ Parkinson said. 

Susan has never faced criminal charges related to Smart’s death. 

Ian Parkinson, the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff, said Friday that Susan Flores remained a person of interest in the case

Prosecutors alleged she was killed during an attempted rape and that the last person she was seen with was Flores (pictured), a fellow student

Smart was reported missing by a friend but a search didn’t begin until days later due to the miscommunication between authorities.

Four different search dogs trained to pick up the smell of human remains led police to Paul Flores’s dorm room during the investigation.

However, no evidence was found in his room.

Investigators found him with a black eye during their interview, which Flores claimed he received playing basketball with friends, who denied his account.

He later changed his story to say he bumped his head while working on his car, per court records.

The jury heard evidence that a grave was located beneath the deck of Ruben’s home which is believed to have previously held Smart’s body.

Additionally, two women testified that Flores subsequently drugged them and engaged in sex acts with them against their will and while they were so intoxicated that they were incapable of giving legal consent.

Flores was unanimously found guilty of Smart’s first degree murder.

In a separate case, an Alabama woman received a life sentence on Friday after being found guilty of hiring a hitman in a custody dispute to kill the father of her child. The Morgan County District Attorney’s Office announced that Jaclyn Skuce, 43, from Madison, was convicted of capital murder. She was accused of plotting to eliminate the child’s father to prevent him from gaining custody or securing further visitation rights.

The tragic events unfolded on July 24, 2020, when the Hartselle Police Department responded to a welfare check at a residence. This was prompted by Anthony Larry Sheppard’s failure to attend a scheduled custody hearing, causing concern for his well-being. Upon the request of his attorney, officers were dispatched to ensure his safety.

Upon reaching Sheppard’s home, police were confronted with a disturbing scene: the storm door was shattered, and the main door was left open, raising immediate alarm.

Upon arrival, police discovered Sheppard’s storm door shattered and the main door ajar.

Jaclyn Skuce, 43, was sentenced to life in prison for hiring a hitman to kill her child’s father, prosecutors said. (Morgan County District Attorney’s Office)

Officers later found Sheppard dead with multiple gunshot wounds.

Investigators determined that Skuce hired Logan Delp to kill Sheppard in order to prevent him from gaining custody or further visitation with his child.

Prosecutors said Skuce used social media to hire the hitman, who lived in Hartselle, according to the Hartselle Enquirer. She allegedly offered to pay $30,000.

An Alabama woman was sentenced to life in prison after being convicted in a murder-for-hire case tied to a custody dispute. (Morgan County District Attorney’s Office)

“There are never any winners in a case like this,” Chief Assistant District Attorney Garrick Vickery said following the verdict. “This jury was incredibly thorough and took their time to make sure they made the right decision, both for Mr. Sheppard and for the defendant.”

Vickery added, “We are glad that they convicted her for the choice she made to take Mr. Sheppard away from his family.”

Skuce was found guilty of three counts of capital murder: murder for hire, murder of a witness, and murder committed by shooting into an occupied dwelling.

Four other defendants have been charged with capital murder in connection with Sheppard’s death.

Prosecutors said the defendant used social media to arrange a killing in exchange for payment. (Hartselle Police Department)

Delp was convicted of capital murder in October 2025, the DA’s office said. Another defendant has pleaded guilty, and two others are awaiting trial.

Skuce will be imprisoned without the possibility of parole in the Alabama Department of Corrections.

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