Thousands of anti-abortion supporters gathered at the State Capitol in St. Paul to mark the anniversary of the 1973 Supreme court's Roe Vs Wade decision. (Photo by Jerry Holt / Star Tribune via Getty Images)
In February, an 81-year-old man in Minnesota donated almost $850,000 to an anti-abortion group. The next day, he died by suicide. Now, the group, Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life, is suing the man’s son in order to get the money.“He told them he was going to commit suicide. They knew,” Nick Charais, the man’s son, told the Star Tribune, which reported on the legal tussle. He added, “That's another reason I'm pissed.”“Basically, they're trying to strong-arm me because they didn't think I'd fight them back,” Charais said. The now-deceased man, John Charais, first contacted Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life in January, according to the group’s complaint in the lawsuit. News coverage of the group reminded him of “his late wife’s deep commitment to the pro-life cause,” the lawsuit alleged, and John Charais wanted to help out. John Charais and the group then allegedly had a series of phone calls and meetings to iron out the details of his donation, which would go to both Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life and its affiliated education fund. John Charais allegedly said that he feared his estranged daughter would try to legally contest the donation, so he wanted Minnesota Citizens for Life to set aside $50,000 to protect themselves from that possibility. Nick Charais was also allegedly present for one of those meetings.The donation was ultimately broken down into two separate checks, according to the lawsuit. But after John’s death, Nick Charais, whose attorney was not available to respond to a VICE News request for comment, allegedly halted the donation checks. Had they gone through, they would have nearly drained a family trust fund, the Star Tribune reported. Nick Charais is now the trustee of that trust.Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life said in court filings that John Charais requested a “a cognitive test from his treating physician to confirm his competency,” but Nick Charais told the Star Tribune that never happened.Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life has also said that its members tried to negotiate with Nick Charais for months, to no avail. It officially sued in October. Nick Charais’ attorney has moved to dismiss the lawsuit. That attorney, Joseph Windler, told the Star Tribune that the case was without merit and that Nick Charais’s actions were appropriate.Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life’s attorney didn’t immediately reply to a VICE News request for comment, including on the allegation that the group knew John Charais intended to die of suicide. The donation would represent a substantial donation for the anti-abortion organization. In 2020, it took in roughly $700,000 in total in contributions, according to the group’s tax filings. In 2019, it received just about $450,000. Abortion remains legal in Minnesota, leaving the state as one of the few left in the Midwest where people can get abortions.If you or someone you know is considering suicide, help is available 24/7. Call 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. You can also chat with someone here.
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