Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced today that Shamsia Hopes, a nonprofit organization based in Shakopee, has agreed to dissolve following an investigation revealing governance failures and misuse of assets by its founder and president, Mekfira Hussein. The agreement does not prevent further claims against Ms. Hussein or other individuals.
The Charities Division of the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) found that Shamsia Hopes failed to meet governance requirements, allowing Ms. Hussein to misuse the nonprofit’s assets for personal expenses, including a $93,250 Porsche and paying off a $173,438 mortgage. Additionally, at least $5.4 million was directed to Oromia Feeds LLC, a company created by her husband Abduljabar Hussein, who served as vice president of Shamsia Hopes from 2015 to 2020.
The AGO also discovered that the board of directors permitted Ms. Hussein to control finances with minimal oversight and allowed her to retain multiple roles within the organization despite federal indictment allegations.
“Minnesota nonprofit corporations are obligated by law to spend money on their mission alone, not to enrich their founders or the founders’ families,” Attorney General Ellison stated. “Illegal activity like this risks eroding Minnesotans’ faith in our non-profits.”
The Charities Division initiated an independent civil investigation after federal charges were brought against Mekfira and Abduljabar Hussein related to improper acquisition and use of child-nutrition funds. The indictments indicated that only a small fraction of the $5.4 million routed to Oromia Feeds was spent on food.
Under an Assurance of Discontinuance filed in Scott County, Shamsia Hopes will cease accepting donations and begin dissolution within 60 days upon court approval.
The AGO’s Charities Division holds civil enforcement authority over state nonprofit corporation laws but does not enforce criminal laws. Minnesota law mandates fiduciary duties for nonprofit board members and executives to act in the best interests of their organizations.
Complaints about nonprofit directors and officers can be submitted via a form on the Attorney General’s website or by calling designated numbers for different regions within Minnesota.