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San Francisco’s efforts to address homelessness have been marred by allegations of financial misconduct, as millions designated for this cause were reportedly diverted to fund a lavish lifestyle. Authorities claim that Gwendolyn Westbrook, the former CEO of a city-funded nonprofit, played a central role in this scheme.
Westbrook, 71, who led the United Council of Human Services (UCHS), faces serious legal trouble. The San Francisco District Attorney’s Office announced that she has been charged with nine felony counts, including the misappropriation of public funds, grand theft, and filing fraudulent California tax returns.
According to prosecutors, between 2019 and 2023, Westbrook allegedly redirected over $1.2 million from the nonprofit’s accounts. This was made possible by her nearly unfettered control over the organization’s finances during her tenure.
The charges against her include one count of misappropriating public funds, three counts of grand theft, one count of issuing a false invoice, and four counts of filing incorrect state tax returns for the years 2020 through 2023.
In a notable image, Gwendolyn Westbrook is seen smiling as she accompanied San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee on a tour of the nonprofit’s facilities. The photograph, captured by Carlos Avila Gonzalez for The San Francisco Chronicle, underscores the trust and responsibility once vested in her leadership.
Local media outlets, citing court filings, have reported that investigators allege nonprofit funds were used for high-end purchases from retailers like Louis Vuitton and Neiman Marcus, including luxury goods and vehicles.Â
The case was brought following an investigation by the District Attorney’s Public Integrity Task Force.Â
District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said the alleged scheme deprived the city of critical resources intended to address its ongoing homelessness crisis.
“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 said at a news conference.
According to prosecutors, more than $1.2 million has been traced directly to Westbrook, while additional withdrawn funds remain unaccounted for.
Homeless people in San Francisco, California, on February 26, 2024. (Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Westbrook did not immediately respond to requests for comment, and it was not immediately clear whether she has an attorney.
UCHS has received millions of dollars in city contracts over the years to serve homeless and low-income residents. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization operated a 120-trailer shelter site 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 site later shut down amid concerns about dust exposure from a nearby concrete recycling facility.
People inhabit encampments on the streets of San Francisco, California on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Flight Risk for Fox News Digital)
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 thousands of dollars from a cash box at a San Francisco Port parking lot where she worked. In 2015, regulators discovered unsanctioned blackjack tables operating inside a charity bingo hall run by the nonprofit, the Chronicle reported.
The charges come as homelessness spending in California faces heightened scrutiny. In Los Angeles, the head of another homeless services nonprofit was recently charged at both the federal and state level with allegedly misusing $23 million in taxpayer funds to finance luxury properties and vehicles.
Stepheny Price covers crime, including missing persons, homicides and migrant crime. Send story tips to stepheny.price@fox.com.
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