Fargo activist sentenced to prison for stealing money from the state

BISMARCK (KFGO) — A once-prominent Fargo activist has been sentenced to prison for stealing grant money through her non-profit.

Faith Dixon was found guilty by a Burleigh County Jury Friday of taking grant money from the state meant for her daycare and distributing it to businesses owned by family members. She also used some of the roughly $131,000 for personal reasons.

Dixon last year pleaded guilty, and would have spend between 4-11 months in jail as part of a plea deal. She backed out of the deal before she could be sentenced, and told the judge she was given “bad legal advice” and “would never have pleaded guilty” if she understood the terms of the agreement.

Dixon will spend over 4 years in prison.

Her ex-husband, Charles Dixon, took a plea deal for similar charges. He will spend 3 years on probation.