Former Homeless Charity CEO Accused of Embezzling $1.2 Million for Lavish Lifestyle
Prosecutors have charged the former chief executive of a San Francisco-based homeless charity with embezzling over $1.2 million in public funds to support an extravagant personal lifestyle. Gwendolyn Westbrook, aged 71, served as the CEO of the United Council of Human Services (UCHS) for nearly two decades before her dismissal in 2023.
Felony Charges and Legal Proceedings
Westbrook faces nine felony charges, including grand theft, misappropriation of public funds, and filing false tax returns spanning four years. According to the San Francisco District Attorney's Office, the alleged financial misconduct occurred between 2019 and 2023. She was booked into jail on February 20 and subsequently released on bail. Her arraignment, initially scheduled for Tuesday at the Hall of Justice, has been postponed to March 9 at her request.
District Attorney Brooke Jenkins emphasized the severity of the accusations during a news conference, stating, "You're talking about millions of dollars being lost to that effort, that our taxpayer dollars, while every day we sit and deal with people who are still struggling on our streets." The UCHS organization, which operated soup kitchens and shelters for the homeless, received millions in government grants over the past twenty years.
Allegations of Misuse and Lavish Expenditures
A lawsuit filed by a former UCHS employee in 2023 accused Westbrook of misusing funds and "living a lifestyle inconsistent with her reported salary" of $155,000 annually. Court documents allege that Westbrook bragged to staff about purchasing luxury vehicles, including a Tesla for herself, a Jeep Renegade for a close family friend, and two vehicles for cousins. She reportedly told a niece that she owned an Infiniti SUV and drove with "a trunk full of high-priced jewelry."
Additionally, the lawsuit claims that Westbrook used charity funds to pay for family weddings and in vitro fertilization procedures for a relative. Prosecutors also allege that she stole $91,000 directly from UCHS, with further large sums remaining unaccounted for.
Historical Context and Investigation
This is not the first time Westbrook has faced allegations of financial impropriety. In 1997, she was accused of stealing thousands of dollars from a cash box at a San Francisco Port parking lot, where she was employed at the time. Furthermore, in 2015, regulators discovered unsanctioned blackjack tables at a charity bingo hall organized by the nonprofit.
The current investigation began in 2022 after an audit by then-city controller Ben Rosenfield uncovered fraud at UCHS. Rosenfield and City Attorney David Chiu subsequently requested that the FBI and the District Attorney's office launch a criminal investigation. The DA's office conducted a thorough probe last year, utilizing over twenty search warrants and extensively reviewing financial records.
City Attorney David Chiu commented, "Gwendolyn Westbrook enriched herself and misused millions in public funds meant to help the community. We are grateful the district attorney accepted our referral, and the White Collar Crime Division conducted a thorough investigation leading to these charges." Attempts to reach Gwendolyn Westbrook or her attorney for comment were unsuccessful.
