Public officials and nonprofit leaders who claimed to support vulnerable communities are facing charges in a series of nonprofit fund embezzlement cases. As a result, concerns are mounting over how public money is monitored and distributed.
Several organizations received substantial taxpayer funding to aid homeless residents and low-income communities. However, prosecutors allege that some leaders diverted those funds for personal use. Therefore, public trust in nonprofit oversight has come under renewed scrutiny.
The National Review Journal reported on February 24 that Gwendolyn Westbrook, 71, former chief executive of United Council of Human Services (UCHS) in San Francisco, faces nine felony counts. Prosecutors allege she embezzled more than $1.2 million in public funds.
According to prosecutors, Westbrook increased her salary without board approval between 2019 and 2023. In addition, she allegedly withdrew cash for personal use and obtained fraudulent reimbursements. Authorities also accuse her of separately stealing $91,000 in cash…