Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has announced a settlement with the Brooklyn Center charity, West African Family & Community Services (WAFCS), and its president, Edmund Ocansey. The settlement follows allegations that WAFCS failed to operate under board supervision, allowing Ocansey unsupervised access to funds for personal use. These funds were reportedly spent on items such as fast food, retail purchases, car expenses, and monetary withdrawals.
The agreement requires WAFCS to continue improving its governance practices and compliance with charity laws. Ocansey is mandated to repay $41,953.56 to WAFCS as restitution for the misused nonprofit funds. Additionally, he is banned from serving as an officer or director of any Minnesota nonprofit.
"Providing culturally specific food to West African community members is an important cause," said Attorney General Ellison. "West African Family & Community Services failed to properly control and protect their charitable assets." He emphasized that this settlement provides a path forward for WAFCS to rebuild trust and fulfill its mission of supporting Minnesota’s West African community.
Founded in December 2016, WAFCS was intended to collaborate closely with the Brooklyn United Methodist Church. Concerns about misuse of assets by the organization's president led a volunteer to file a complaint in August 2021 with the Charities Division of the Attorney General’s Office. This prompted an investigation under Minnesota's civil nonprofit corporation and charitable trust laws.
Ellison expressed gratitude towards the volunteer who reported their concerns: "Reports like these help me step in to protect the assets of nonprofits." He encouraged others who suspect illegal or unethical behavior at nonprofits to file complaints with his office.
Minnesotans can submit complaints via the Attorney General’s website or contact his office through provided phone numbers for various regions.
The Minnesota Attorney General’s Office offers resources about charitable organizations and related topics on its official website.