Ex-Ramsey County commissioner to repay $60,000 in charity funds

ST. PAUL — Under terms of a settlement agreement announced by Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison on Monday, Sept. 21, will repay $60,000 in charity funds he misused.

The agreement, filed in Ramsey County District Court on Monday, also permanently prohibits the former commissioner and president of Journey Home Minnesota from operating a charity, having access to charitable assets and soliciting charitable contributions in Minnesota. Journey Home Minnesota must also liquidate its assets and distribute them to a veterans charity based in Minnesota and end operations.

“As the primary regulator of charities in Minnesota, it’s my job to ensure that charities are using their assets solely on behalf of their mission and the public, and that Minnesotans can trust that the money they generously donate to charities is being used for the causes they care about,” Ellison said in a news release. “Blake Huffman took advantage of Minnesotans’ trust. He exploited the sacrifices of Minnesota’s veterans to line his own pockets. This settlement makes sure that the money will go where it’s supposed to — to help veterans afford their lives — and that Huffman will never operate a charity in Minnesota again.”

A call seeking comment from Huffman on the settlement was not immediately returned Monday.

Read more: https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/crime-and-courts/6672297-Ex-Ramsey-County-commissioner-to-repay-60000-in-charity-funds