Cass County: Fargo Activist Reaches Plea Deal in Grant Case
CASS COUNTY (trfnews.i234.me) — A plea agreement has been reached for a Fargo activist accused of misusing state grant funds she received through the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction.
According to court documents, a change of plea hearing is scheduled for October 20 for Faith Dixon. Terms of the plea deal have not yet been released. Dixon’s attorney, Dane DeKrey, said they are satisfied with the outcome and look forward to explaining the situation fully at sentencing.
The case is being prosecuted by the North Dakota Attorney General’s Office. Attorney General Drew Wrigley stated that no public comment will be made until after the hearing.
Dixon faces five felony counts of theft of property. Prosecutors allege that she applied for more than $1.5 million in state grants and received about $350,000. The funds were reportedly intended to help provide middle and high school students with free after-school programs and teach them “habits needed to help them succeed in school and life.”
Court filings indicate that investigators believe the funds were instead misused. Dixon’s husband, Charles Dixon, has also been charged in connection with the case.
The plea deal marks a major development in a case that has drawn statewide attention due to its connection with educational grant programs and state funding oversight. Officials from the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction have not commented publicly on the agreement.
More details are expected to be revealed during the October 20 hearing in Cass County District Court.
For official updates on North Dakota court cases, visit the North Dakota Courts public records portal.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
Faith Dixon