Millions of taxpayer dollars intended to help San Francisco’s homeless population were allegedly diverted by the longtime head of a city-funded nonprofit, prosecutors say, money that instead financed a luxury lifestyle.
Gwendolyn Westbrook, 71, former chief executive of the United Council of Human Services (UCHS), has been charged with nine felony counts, including misappropriation of public funds, grand theft, and filing false California tax returns, the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office announced Monday.
Alleged Scheme Spanned Four Years
Prosecutors allege that between 2019 and 2023, Westbrook funneled more than $1.2 million in public and grant funding out of UCHS accounts while maintaining near-exclusive financial control over the organization.
The charges include:
• One count of misappropriation of public funds
• Three counts of grand theft
• One count of presenting a false invoice
• Four counts of filing false state tax returns for tax years 2020 through 2023
According to investigators, more than $1.2 million has been directly traced to Westbrook.
However, prosecutors warn that millions of dollars in additional withdrawn funds are still unaccounted for.
Local media reports citing court filings indicate that nonprofit funds were allegedly used for high-end purchases at retailers such as Louis Vuitton and Neiman Marcus, as well as luxury goods and vehicles.
The case stems from an investigation conducted by the District Attorney’s Public Integrity Task Force.
District Attorney: Funds Meant for Homeless Were Lost
San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said the alleged fraud deprived the city of critical resources intended to address its ongoing homelessness crisis.
“You’re talking about millions of dollars being lost to that effort — our taxpayer dollars — while every day we deal with people who are still struggling on our streets,” Jenkins said during a news conference.
Westbrook has not yet commented on the charges, and it is unclear whether she has retained legal counsel.
History of Scrutiny
UCHS has received millions of dollars in city contracts over the years to serve homeless and low-income residents.
During the pandemic, the organization operated a 120-trailer shelter site at Pier 94 in Hunters Point.
In a prior interview with NBC Bay Area, Westbrook defended the shelter effort, insisting:
“This is giving them a fighting chance at a better life.”
The site later closed amid concerns about dust exposure from a nearby concrete recycling facility.
The San Francisco Chronicle reported that Westbrook and the nonprofit had faced prior scrutiny.
In 1997, she was accused of taking thousands of dollars from a cash box at a San Francisco Port parking lot where she worked.
In 2015, regulators discovered unsanctioned blackjack tables operating inside a charity bingo hall run by UCHS.
Broader Scrutiny of Homeless Spending
The charges come as homelessness spending in California faces increasing scrutiny.
In Los Angeles, the head of another homeless services nonprofit was recently charged at both the federal and state levels.
The suspect is accused of misusing $23 million in taxpayer funds to finance luxury properties and vehicles.
With billions spent statewide on homelessness initiatives in recent years, critics argue that oversight failures have allowed corruption to flourish while visible encampments remain widespread in major cities.
Westbrook now faces multiple felony counts as prosecutors move forward with the case.
Our comment section is restricted to members of the Slay News community only.
To join, create a free account HERE.
If you are already a member, log in HERE.