Freedom for All—Including Convicted Criminals

The Minnesota Freedom Fund (MFF), a nonprofit that pays bail on behalf of incriminated individuals, has made headline news once again in the wake of Vice President Harris’s presidential candidacy. In 2020, Harris tweeted: “If you are able to, chip in now to the @MNFreedomFund to help post bail for those protesting on the ground in Minnesota.” Controversy over this organization has spurred new arguments over the implications of Vice President Harris’ support.

Fighting the Cash Bail System

MFF is notorious for fighting against the cash bail system but in the process has supported releasing dangerous criminals back onto the streets. The group gained popularity following the death of George Floyd, receiving around $40 million in donations and garnering support from celebrities such as Steve Carrel, Abbi Jacobsen, and Seth Rogan. The group has paid thousands of bails, seemingly without checking the defendants’ charges.

CNN reported that in the wake of George Floyd’s death, MFF bailed out 65 defendants who were “awaiting trial on felony charges involving violence, physical threats or sex crimes.” Each of these defendants was found to be guilty. Other extreme cases of bail have followed. Donovan Boone was bailed out by the MFF for $3,000 after breaking into his ex-girlfriend’s home and choking her, but he did not appear on his court date. MFF posted bail for Jackie Rahm Little, a man arrested previously for setting fire to a car, who was later charged with arson in relation to two mosque fires and vandalism of the congressional district office of Ilhan Omar. George Howard, who had a previous criminal record, was bailed by MFF for $1,500 and after release, was accused of second-degree murder. The fund paid $350,000 to release a defendant charged with kidnapping, assault, and sexual assault who was also a twice-convicted rapist.

The National Review quoted MFF’s former interim executive director Lewin saying “I often don’t even look at a charge when I bail someone out. I will see it after I pay the bill because it is not the point. The point is the system we are fighting.”

MFF also works to support these people in other ways. The Washington Post reported that former interim executive director Lewin said that MFF is working to make sure that “those we bail out receive support, especially if they are in need of housing or medical treatment.” BBC reported that one protester received enough money from MFF to pay not only his bail but also lawyer fees, court and probation fees, and damage costs. Lewin claimed that MFF is working to strengthen its “internal procedures for ensuring that those we bail out have the necessary support to safely return to their families and their community.”

Scandals

This begs the question of whose safety MFF really protects: the accused (who may have a prior criminal record) or the community? In 2020, Lionel Timms, a previous MFF bail-out, was charged with third degree assault for giving his victim a fractured skull and brain injury. MFF responded by saying they were “deeply saddened and troubled” by the arrest of Lionel Timms. The answer to whose safety is truly protected by MFF is clear.

In 2023, another scandal further dampened the fund’s credibility. MFF’s board chair, Valentina McKenzie, was arrested and charged with a misdemeanor cannabis violation in addition to a felony fifth degree drug possession.  This instance of fentanyl possession is in addition to McKenzie’s previous DWI convictions and misdemeanor prostitution convictions. McKenzie is still listed on MFF’s website as its acting board chair.

MFF operates openly and receives support from high-profile political figures and celebrities, however their policies of careless bail payment and criminal support paint the picture of an organization without the publics’ best interests in mind. Perhaps government officials should take a deeper look at these groups before hopping on the bandwagon.