Former San Francisco Official Charged with Misappropriating Funds
A former city official from San Francisco has been accused of misappropriating taxpayer money, specifically related to a significant initiative aimed at redirecting funding from law enforcement to black communities following George Floyd’s death.
Cheryl Davis, 57, who previously served as the executive director of the San Francisco Human Rights Commission and led the DreamKeeper initiative, allegedly directed over $4.5 million in program funds to a nonprofit organization linked to her, while still maintaining financial ties to it. This information has been reported by local news sources.
According to prosecutors, Davis misused public funds for personal gain, a claim supported by a city audit that noted expenditures including a month-long stay at a luxury hotel, numerous sports tickets, and extravagant catering for events.
The Dream Keeper initiative was established to invest $120 million into black communities in San Francisco, with the aim of reallocating funds away from police departments. However, the allegations suggest that, even while in her city role, Davis continued to manage the nonprofit’s financial matters, serving as a signatory on its bank accounts and influencing spending decisions.
It is claimed that Davis funneled millions in city funds to the nonprofit Collective Impact while keeping close ties with its leadership. Furthermore, the district attorney’s office has asserted that Davis approved over $3.5 million in city money directed to another entity that subsequently paid nearly $140,000 to her son, which ended up in an account Davis partially controlled.
James Spingola, 65, who previously led Collective Impact and had a personal relationship with Davis, was arrested and faces charges related to this case, as reported by prosecutors.
According to San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, the financial connections between Davis and Spingola suggest a profound personal relationship where financial advantages for one benefitted the other. They cohabited, shared bank accounts, and traveled together.
During a press conference, Jenkins declared, “We now know that some of this money was self-serving and used for her benefit.”
The charges emerged following a city audit in September that revealed the misuse of more than $350,000 in public funds for luxury stays, over 500 sports tickets, and extravagant event expenses. It also highlighted the purchase of more than 700 gift cards totaling over $20,000, along with at least $75,000 allocated for promoting Davis’ personal brand, which included her books and podcasts.
Moreover, Davis allegedly facilitated the sale of 1,500 copies of a children’s book, utilizing public funds for promoting her personal projects.
Davis now faces 13 felony counts related to conflicts of interest in government contracts, alongside charges of embezzlement and perjury. Spingola is charged with aiding and abetting in this alleged conflict of interest case.
Prosecutors noted a consistent pattern of self-dealing tied to Davis’ oversight of significant public funds.
Critics have raised serious concerns regarding the transparency and management of the Dream Keepers Initiative. Defense attorneys for Davis have pushed back against these claims.
Davis’ lawyer, Tony Blass, argued that the case displays signs of public corruption, but maintains that the accusations lack merit. He pointed out that Davis had disclosed potential conflicts and had sought additional oversight, which was not provided at the time.
Spingola’s attorney, Randall Knox, expressed that he had not yet reviewed the evidence and emphasized his client’s presumption of innocence. He noted, “I don’t want to judge this case in the press.”
