UPDATE – Fargo Black Lives Matter activist Faith Dixon and her husband, Charles plead not guilty to felony theft charges.
They both have been given a $5,000 bond and will be extradited to Burleigh County.
FARGO, N.D. – Black Lives Matter activist Faith Dixon and her husband, Charles Dixon, have been charged with felony theft, accused of defrauding the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction.
Court documents say the Bureau of Criminal Investigation began an investigation in September 2023 regarding grant funding from Faith4Hope Scholarship Fund, which Faith Dixon is the president of. The organization runs after-school programs. Faith4Hope received a $350,000 grant from the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction in January 2022.
The BCI looked into possible conflicts of interest with the Dixons and the Fargo companies they contracted with. Faith4Hope agreed to a $22,250 a year contract with Double Barrel BBQ for a culinary program. The business is owned by Faith’s brother, Paul Shields. The contract was allegedly signed by Charles Dixon. Faith4Hope also signed a contract with Be The Light Dance Studio for $38,000 for a dance program. State officials say the studio’s address is the same as the one for Faith4Hope and the business’ registered agent is Tekeema Shields, Faith’s sister-in-law. Faith4Hope also had a $50,000 contract with Revolution Records which Shields is the registered agent for. Faith4Hope also contracted with Identity Design Studios for web, graphic and media design services. Angela Skaff is the registered agent for the business. She is also the Faith4Hope Vice President.
In October 2022, NDDPI contacted Faith Dixon about “The perceived lack of fiscal control and the apparent conflicts of interest between her and the program vendors.”
Court documents say bank statements showed services weren’t paid, two checks were sent to Charles Dixon rather than a company. Once they received a letter from DPI, Dixon lawyered up. Faith4Hope justified payments to Diezel Double Barrel by saying the business provided it services before receiving the grant money. Court documents say several names of children attending after-school programs are children related to Faith Dixon and other Faith4Hope board members. The organization claimed it had difficulties with attendance because of transportation issues.
Faith4Hope claimed board members recused themselves from voting on matters in which they had personal interests in. Faith Dixon claimed even though she and Charles are still married, they live separately and had a close working relationship “which appeared to rationalize the award of the contract for services to Diezel Double Barrel BBQ” court documents say. State officials say although meeting minutes show Faith Dixon and Skaff recused themselves from voting on contracts for Diezel Double Barrel BBQ and Identity Design Studios, Dixon voted on the approval of contracts with Revolution Records and Be The Light Dance Studio.
Investigators say they found Faith4Hope, Diezel Double Barrel BBQ, and Faith and Charles Dixon had a joint bank account. They say the Dixons defrauded DPI of more than $70,000 by transferring money into their personal account, withdrawing money and making personal purchases.
Faith Dixon faces five felony theft of property counts and faces up to 45 years in prison. Charles Dixon faces two felony theft of property counts and faces up to 20 years behind bars. Their first court appearance is scheduled for October 16.
When reached for comment, the Department of Public Instruction says it does not have a comment on the case.
