Good morning, Hopkinton! Welcome to the daily update we call Hopkinton Today — a quick recap of yesterday’s news, highlights of what’s on tap, and a photo of the day.

Monica Cannon-Grant speaks to protestors at the Mikayla Miller rally in 2021. PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO

Leader of controversial town rally pleads guilty in federal court

Monica Cannon-Grant, the high-profile Boston activist known to Hopkinton residents for organizing a controversial rally following the death of local teenager Mikayla Miller, pleaded guilty in federal court Monday to 18 charges related to the diversion of money targeted for her non-profit to her personal use.

Cannon-Grant, 44, and her husband, Clark Grant, had been charged with spending funds donated to Violence in Boston on travel, hotels, dining, personal care and more. The 2022 indictment also charged the couple with defrauding the state by accepting unemployment assistance and making false statements to a mortgage lender.

They later were accused of obtaining and misusing pandemic assistance funds, lying about their income to obtain rent relief money and filing false tax returns.

“Monica Cannon-Grant repeatedly scammed multiple public financial programs and stole money donated by members of the public who believed their donations would aid in reducing violence and promote social awareness,” U.S. Attorney Leah Foley shared in a statement. “Instead, Cannon-Grant used donations to satisfy her own greed, while falsely portraying herself as a legitimate nonprofit organizer. She betrayed the trust of everyone who donated and the public who supported her fraudulent charity. Today’s plea demonstrates once again that no one is above the rule of law.”

Cannon-Grant is to be sentenced Jan. 29. Her husband died in a motorcycle crash in 2023.

Mikayla Miller’s body was found in the woods off West Main Street on the morning of April 18, 2021. The state medical examiner determined the 16-year-old, who was Black and part of the LGBTQ community, had taken her own life. However, Miller’s mother, Calvina Strothers, questioned the handling and outcome of the investigation, noting Miller had been in an altercation the night before with a former girlfriend and others. Cannon-Grant claimed Miller was “murdered” and organized a rally that drew hundreds of people — many from out of town — to the Town Common on May 6, 2021. Cannon-Grant then raised funds to cover an independent autopsy for Miller, although those results were never released or discussed publicly, and the protests eventually faded.

— JERRY SPAR

Latest News

Director of Land Use John Gelcich announced in a short Planning Board meeting Monday night that the town has hired a new principal planner.

The latest Move in Style Athlete Spotlight shines on girls volleyball senior Gabby Pattie, who led the team to two big wins recently.

This week’s Professional Insights column from Kim Foemmel of Foemmel Fine Homes highlights steps homeowners should take as they prepare for winter.

The HerSwap community-wide tag sale to benefit The Herd and the Hopkinton Parent Teacher Organization will be held Oct. 4 at Marathon School.

Town meetings tonight include the Board of Appeals (7).

Photo of the Day

A rabbit relaxes in a yard near downtown.

PHOTO/JERRY SPAR