An LGBTQ+ advocate and activist from Omaha was indicted for grand larceny and falsifying business records in New York.Dominique Morgan, who is the former executive director of a Brooklyn-based nonprofit that supports Black Trans people, is accused of siphoning money meant for bailing people out of jail and using it for personal expenses, according to Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez.”When asked for proof of payment, the defendant allegedly submitted bail receipts for individuals who had not been arrested at that time,” the district attorney said in a statement.Morgan was arraigned Tuesday and charged with one count of second-degree grand larceny and 23 counts of first-degree falsifying business records. She was released without bail and is scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 18. According to the district attorney’s office, Morgan allegedly transferred about $99,000 to her personal account from the OKRA Project to pay for bail. Authorities said those funds were used for a $19,000 California Closet renovation, car payments for a Mercedes-Benz, purchases at apparel stores, and other expenses.Morgan provided bail receipts for 23 people who were supposedly arrested in Fulton County, Georgia, and Douglas County, Nebraska, when asked for proof of payments toward bail by OKRA, officials said.According to the district attorney’s office, an audit by OKRA found that those receipts were fraudulent and the arrests did not occur at the time.Morgan faces a max sentence of 5 to 15 years in prison if convicted of the top count.A portion of Taylor Street from 25th Street to 25th Avenue in Omaha was named after Morgan in 2023. Omaha city council members approved the change.Omaha City Councilmember Juanita Johnson said in a statement that it’s a “serious matter.””It is essential that we allow our justice system to do its work impartially and thoroughly. As your council member, I am committed to transparency and accountability, and I assure you that we will fully support law enforcement in ensuring a fair process. I also understand the impact that cases like these can have on public trust. During this time, I ask for patience and remind everyone to avoid rushing to conclusions until all the facts are established,” Johnson said.Morgan has worked extensively with the LGBTQ+ community in Omaha, including opening the Lydon House, a safe home for people coming out of jail, in 2020.Her work has been recognized nationally, including by Apple in 2021.A phone call by KETV NewsWatch 7 to Morgan on Wednesday morning was not returned. KETV has also reached out to city officials.Click here for the latest headlines from KETV NewsWatch 7
An LGBTQ+ advocate and activist from Omaha was indicted for grand larceny and falsifying business records in New York.
Dominique Morgan, who is the former executive director of a Brooklyn-based nonprofit that supports Black Trans people, is accused of siphoning money meant for bailing people out of jail and using it for personal expenses, according to Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez.
“When asked for proof of payment, the defendant allegedly submitted bail receipts for individuals who had not been arrested at that time,” the district attorney said in a statement.
Morgan was arraigned Tuesday and charged with one count of second-degree grand larceny and 23 counts of first-degree falsifying business records. She was released without bail and is scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 18.
According to the district attorney’s office, Morgan allegedly transferred about $99,000 to her personal account from the OKRA Project to pay for bail. Authorities said those funds were used for a $19,000 California Closet renovation, car payments for a Mercedes-Benz, purchases at apparel stores, and other expenses.
Morgan provided bail receipts for 23 people who were supposedly arrested in Fulton County, Georgia, and Douglas County, Nebraska, when asked for proof of payments toward bail by OKRA, officials said.
According to the district attorney’s office, an audit by OKRA found that those receipts were fraudulent and the arrests did not occur at the time.
Morgan faces a max sentence of 5 to 15 years in prison if convicted of the top count.
A portion of Taylor Street from 25th Street to 25th Avenue in Omaha was named after Morgan in 2023. Omaha city council members approved the change.
Omaha City Councilmember Juanita Johnson said in a statement that it’s a “serious matter.”
“It is essential that we allow our justice system to do its work impartially and thoroughly. As your council member, I am committed to transparency and accountability, and I assure you that we will fully support law enforcement in ensuring a fair process. I also understand the impact that cases like these can have on public trust. During this time, I ask for patience and remind everyone to avoid rushing to conclusions until all the facts are established,” Johnson said.
Morgan has worked extensively with the LGBTQ+ community in Omaha, including opening the Lydon House, a safe home for people coming out of jail, in 2020.
Her work has been recognized nationally, including by Apple in 2021.
A phone call by KETV NewsWatch 7 to Morgan on Wednesday morning was not returned. KETV has also reached out to city officials.
