After a thorough investigation, the former executive director of a now-defunct San Francisco nonprofit has been arrested on numerous felony charges related to the alleged misuse of over $700,000 in public funds. Kyra Worthy, a resident of Richmond, California, is facing charges including misappropriation of public money, grand theft by embezzlement, submitting fraudulent invoices, wage theft, and writing fraudulent checks during her time as the head of SF SAFE.
The San Francisco District Attorney's Office revealed that an audit by the San Francisco Office of the Controller uncovered that Worthy misspent at least $80,000 in grant funds from the San Francisco Police Department on various personal expenses, such as luxury gift boxes, a Lake Tahoe trip, parking fees, permits, and ride-hailing services. Additionally, it was alleged that she used nearly $56,000 of the nonprofit's funds to host a holiday party.
Legal experts have commented on the severity of the case, with concerns raised about potential federal involvement due to the misuse of funds from different federal entities. The lack of oversight within the organization was highlighted as a contributing factor to Worthy's actions going unchecked for an extended period.
Worthy, who was hired in 2018, is accused of embezzling over $100,000 of SF SAFE funds for personal use during her tenure. The consequences of her actions have had a significant impact, leading to the closure of the nonprofit with no remaining assets.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of accountability and transparency in nonprofit organizations to prevent such incidents from reoccurring.
