November trial set for nonprofit leader with political ties
Bill Davis, former CEO of Community Action of Minneapolis, was released on $25,000 bail Monday afternoon after pleading not guilty to 16 charges of theft and fraud.
In his first court appearance, Davis strolled into U.S. District Court in St. Paul in a gray pinstripe suit. Standing next to his attorney, former Ramsey County Prosecutor Susan Gaertner, Davis pleaded not guilty. The federal government alleges Davis and his son, Jordan, conspired to steal $250,000 from the nonprofit. The federal complaint said Davis used Community Action's money for airfare, travel and other personal items including a car. The complaint also alleges Jordan Davis was paid $140,000 for work he didn't do.
Davis didn't comment after the hearing. But Gaertner said she believes the case is going to trial.
"We are very much in the beginning stages of this and we'll be looking forward to hearing from the government as to which proof they actually have," she said. "Mr. Davis certainly maintains his innocence. We will be trying the case in the courtroom and not on the steps of the courthouse."
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The trial is scheduled to begin Nov. 16. Gaertner said it's not clear yet whether Bill and Jordan Davis will be tried together.
The trial could feature some well-known politicians. Davis has been active in DFL politics, serving both as treasurer of the DFL State Central Committee and a member of the Democratic National Committee.
"Given the highly political nature of the activity that Mr. Davis is accused of engaging in, I wouldn't be surprised if there might be some evidence of other folks that are known," Gaertner said.
Several well-known Democrats, including U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison, state Sen. Jeff Hayden and City Council President Barb Johnson either served on Community Action's board or had a proxy serving on their behalf. They all resigned after the state shut down Community Action last year. The federal charges released last week accused Davis of intentionally withholding information from the group's board of directors.
On Friday, Ellison's spokesman declined comment when asked about the charges against Bill Davis. Hayden issued a statement saying the allegations are shocking and that he's disappointed by the "disruption this has caused the organization, its staff and the community."
One of the 40 people who lost a job when Community Action closed appeared on the steps of the court house to confront Davis.
"I only want him to get what he deserves," said Michelle Brown, who worked for Community Action for 13 years. "He interrupted people's lives. He devastated people's lives. He was hostile to people."
Brown said after the hearing that Davis verbally abused and threatened anyone who complained that he was spending Community Action funds for personal use. She said she believes the allegations against Davis.
"People who could afford to leave, they did leave. But for people like me who depended on that paycheck from one paycheck to another, we could not afford to leave," she said.
Brown says she's still looking for work after losing her job at Community Action. A court-appointed receiver is in the process of closing Community Action.