Alderman Under Fire For Accepting $5,000 From Disgraced Nonprofit

CHICAGO, IL - One week after his wife gave birth to a daughter, 28th Ward Ald. Jason Ervin finds himself in the midst of an FBI investigation into a defunct nonprofit leader accused of misusing $14,000 of a state grant.

A Chicago Tribune investigation revealed Ervin was the recipient of a check worth nearly $5,000 from Franshuan Myles, president and executive director of Divine Praise Inc. Myles was charged last month with improperly spending nearly $14,000 of the state grant on herself and others, which included a nearly $5,000 check made to Ervin.

The grant money was meant for a jobs program for youths. Myles has been charged with wire fraud.

"My understanding is there is no indication of wrongdoing on Mr. Ervin's part," Sam Adam Jr., an attorney for Ervin, said.

Ervin was appointed to his City Council spot by former Mayor Richard M. Daley in 2011 and was elected to remain in the capacity last year.

His wife, Melissa Conyears-Ervin, is the Democratic nominee for a state House seat on the West Side.

The couple had a daughter born just last week.

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