Overview
- U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez imposed an 84‑month sentence, five years of supervised release, and nearly $3.5 million in restitution, and allowed him to report to prison on Jan. 14.
- Tezzaree El-Amin Champion pleaded guilty in February to wire fraud, money laundering, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
- Prosecutors said the scheme ran through Futuristic Management Group and the nonprofit Encouraging Leaders, targeting PPP, EIDL, Hennepin County relief, and a federal opioid youth initiative grant.
- The government says he submitted about $6.5 million in fraudulent applications and diverted nearly $3.5 million intended for relief efforts.
- Investigators recovered financial records, a safe with $127,000, and a revolver with his DNA; a co-defendant, Marcus Hamilton, has also pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.