Head of violence intervention nonprofit charged with wage theft
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Minneapolis community leader and violence prevention non-profit head Bishop Harding Smith is facing wage theft charges, after allegedly misusing funding from Hennepin County that was intended to go into his employees’ paychecks.
Smith's nonprofit, called Minnesota Acts Now, signed a contract with the county in August 2021 to provide violence intervention services through the end of the year. According to charges filed in Hennepin County District Court Thursday, Smith told the county he was paying employees more than he really did.
“Bishop Harding Smith failed to pay his employees what he agreed to as part of the contract with Hennepin County and then lied about it when seeking payroll expense reimbursements,” Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said in a statement.
Moriarty charged him with one count of theft by swindle and one count of wage theft.
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Charges allege Smith reported paying employees $35 an hour, but actually paid most employees around $20 an hour.
That totaled about $150,000 in county funds that were meant for wages, but did not go to employees. According to the charges, Smith used the funds for organizational expenses not approved under the contract with the county, including buying a vehicle and office space.
Smith’s attorney, Jordan Kushner, said none of that money went into Smith’s pocket. He said Smith believed he could use funds for organizational expenses.
“There wasn't anything being hidden. There certainly was no swindle. There was no theft,” Smith said. “He paid the employees what was agreed upon to pay them.”
Kushner said county staff oversaw the contract throughout the nonprofit’s work and did not raise any concerns about payroll or expenses.
According to court documents, former Minnesota Acts Now employees reported wage theft to the state attorney general’s office in 2023. The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension launched an investigation, which led to the charges.
Smith's first court appearance is scheduled for June 16th.
