Knight Foundation Embroiled in Ohio Housing Project Fight

Nearly $8-million in support, awarded and then revoked by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, has emerged as an issue in a court battle involving a nonprofit Akron, Ohio, housing group, according to the Akron Beacon Journal.

Documents filed last week in a lawsuit brought by area businessman Roger Carter include emails from national and local Knight officials accusing the University Park Alliance and its former leader of using deception to secure a $6-million grant and a $1.9-million loan in late 2012 to redevelop property near the University of Akron.

According to the suit, the alliance’s then-executive director, Eric Anthony Johnson, did not notify Knight that the University of Akron had withdrawn support for the project, jeopardizing its chances for success and Mr. Carter’s own investment. The foundation froze the funding on April 2, 2013. Mr. Johnson resigned from the alliance three days later.

Knight officials declined to comment. Mr. Johnson, who now heads a nonprofit housing group in Charlotte, N.C., denied the allegations.