Ex-San Francisco homeless CEO accused of $1.2M misuse

Millions of taxpayer {dollars} meant to assist San Francisco’s homeless inhabitants had been allegedly siphoned off by the longtime head of a city-funded nonprofit — cash prosecutors mentioned as a substitute helped bankroll a luxurious life-style.

Gwendolyn Westbrook, 71, the previous chief govt of the United Council of Human Services (UCHS), has been charged with 9 felonies, together with misappropriation of public funds, grand theft and submitting false California tax returns, the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office announced Monday.

Prosecutors allege that from 2019 by means of 2023, Westbrook funneled greater than $1.2 million in public and grant funding out of the nonprofit’s accounts whereas sustaining what authorities described as near-exclusive monetary management over the group.

The expenses embrace one rely of misappropriation of public funds, three counts of grand theft, one rely of presenting a false bill and 4 counts of submitting false state tax returns for tax years 2020 by means of 2023.

Local media outlets, citing court docket filings, have reported that investigators allege nonprofit funds had been used for high-end purchases from retailers like Louis Vuitton and Neiman Marcus, together with luxurious items and automobiles. 

The case was introduced following an investigation by the District Attorney’s Public Integrity Task Force. 

District Attorney Brooke Jenkins mentioned the alleged scheme disadvantaged town of important sources supposed to handle its ongoing homelessness disaster.

“You’re talking about millions of dollars being lost to that effort — our taxpayer dollars — while every day we deal with people who are still struggling on our streets,” Jenkins mentioned at a information convention.

According to prosecutors, greater than $1.2 million has been traced on to Westbrook, whereas further withdrawn funds stay unaccounted for.

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Westbrook didn’t instantly reply to requests for remark, and it was not instantly clear whether or not she has an legal professional.

UCHS has obtained thousands and thousands of {dollars} in metropolis contracts over time to serve homeless and low-income residents. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the group operated a 120-trailer shelter website at Pier 94 in Hunters Point.

In a prior interview with NBC Bay Area, Westbrook defended the shelter effort, saying, “This is giving them a fighting chance at a better life.” The website later shut down amid considerations about mud publicity from a close-by concrete recycling facility.

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The San Francisco Chronicle reported that the case follows years of scrutiny involving Westbrook and the nonprofit. According to the outlet, she was accused in 1997 of taking 1000’s of {dollars} from a money field at a San Francisco Port car parking zone the place she labored. In 2015, regulators found unsanctioned blackjack tables working inside a charity bingo corridor run by the nonprofit, the Chronicle reported.

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The expenses come as homelessness spending in California faces heightened scrutiny. In Los Angeles, the top of one other homeless providers nonprofit was lately charged at each the federal and state stage with allegedly misusing $23 million in taxpayer funds to finance luxurious properties and automobiles.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Stepheny Price covers crime, together with lacking individuals, homicides and migrant crime. Send story tricks to stepheny.value@fox.com.

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