Prosecutors allege that millions of taxpayer dollars intended for San Francisco’s homeless community were misappropriated by Gwendolyn Westbrook, the former CEO of a city-funded nonprofit, who supposedly funneled money to finance a lavish lifestyle.
The San Francisco District Attorney’s Office has charged the 71-year-old Westbrook with nine felonies, which include misappropriating public funds, grand theft, and submitting a false tax return for California. These details were shared in an announcement on Monday.
According to prosecutors, Westbrook is said to have improperly transferred over $1.2 million into the organization’s accounts from 2019 to 2023, while allegedly exercising near-total financial control over the nonprofit.
The charges she faces encompass embezzlement of public funds, multiple counts of grand theft, a false invoice, and several counts of false state tax filings covering the years 2020 to 2023.
Investigators claim that funds from the nonprofit were used to purchase luxury items from high-end retailers and even to acquire luxury vehicles. This information came to light following an investigation by the Public Integrity Task Force within the District Attorney’s Office.
District Attorney Brooke Jenkins remarked that this alleged scheme has robbed the city of essential resources in addressing the persistent homelessness crisis. “It’s millions of dollars meant for our taxpayers, lost while many are still struggling on the streets,” she stated at a recent news conference.
While more than $1.2 million has been traced back to Westbrook, it’s uncertain how much additional money might have been withdrawn by her.
Westbrook has not commented on the situation, and it’s unclear if she has legal representation. Over the years, the United Council of Human Services has received millions in city contracts aimed at assisting homeless and low-income residents. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization ran a shelter with trailers in Hunters Point.
In a past interview, Westbrook defended the shelter’s mission, arguing it was a vital opportunity for residents to improve their lives. However, concerns over dust exposure from a nearby facility have led to the shelter’s closure.
This case adds to the growing scrutiny of California’s spending on homelessness. Notably, in Los Angeles, another executive from a homeless nonprofit was recently indicted for allegedly misusing $23 million in taxpayer funds for luxury properties and vehicles.
