Following an extensive investigation that lasted several months, the former executive director of a now-shuttered nonprofit in San Francisco was apprehended on Tuesday, facing numerous felony charges connected to the alleged misappropriation of over $700,000 in public funds, according to the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office.
Kyra Worthy, who resides in Richmond, California, faces charges that include misappropriation of public funds, grand theft through embezzlement, submitting false invoices, wage theft, and issuing fraudulent checks during her leadership at SF SAFE, a 48-year-old nonprofit organization designed to improve safety and crime prevention efforts in collaboration with the San Francisco police, as stated by prosecutors.
The District Attorney’s office investigators found that an audit conducted by the San Francisco Office of the Controller uncovered that Worthy misused at least $80,000 in grant money from the San Francisco Police Department for extravagant items including luxury gift baskets, a trip to Lake Tahoe, parking fees and permits, as well as ride-hailing services.
The allegations also mention that Worthy spent nearly $56,000 of the nonprofit’s funds hosting a holiday party.
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The head of SF SAFE, Kyra Worthy, center, was fired over her alleged misuse of funds for a San Francisco nonprofit that provided community outreach and crime prevention education. (KTVU)
David Gelman, a former prosecutor and CEO of Gelman Law, discussed the potential directions the case could take.
“There are multiple facets here: the criminal side, which she has already been charged with. If she has been charged, it wouldn’t be surprising if federal authorities get involved due to the involvement of funds from federal entities,” Gelman remarked. “That changes the stakes significantly, leading to potentially harsher repercussions if federal involvement occurs.”
Gelman expressed his belief that Worthy managed to evade detection of her embezzlement and fraud for an extended period due to her position as the organization’s executive director, which left her without supervision.
“Being the executive director meant no one was overseeing her actions. It’s quite shocking and unfortunate. There must be some accountability measures in place—a board to oversee operations. This is a complete misappropriation of funds and a gross failure in management,” Gelman stated.
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SF SAFE aimed to enhance safety and crime prevention in San Francisco through community organizing. (Getty Images)
Worthy, who was appointed in 2018, is accused of misusing over $100,000 in SF SAFE funds for her personal benefit during her time with the organization.
Gelman noted that this situation is tragic because charities and individuals needing assistance are the ones that suffer the most.
“The charities and individuals who genuinely needed these funds were deprived of them. They were all misled in this unfortunate event. There are no winners here, and it’s a dreadful situation for everyone involved,” Gelman expressed.
Due to her alleged theft and mismanagement, Worthy was terminated, leading to the nonprofit’s sudden closure in January 2024, leaving no assets behind.
Nicole Castronovo, a criminal defense attorney, shared her thoughts with Fox News Digital, reflecting Gelman’s sentiments about the case.
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The San Francisco skyline from the city’s Ina Coolbrith Park. (iStock)
“This was once a reputable charity. The San Francisco Police Department collaborated with them. It had established legitimacy over the decades, and in a city like San Francisco, which desperately required these funds, it’s truly disheartening to witness this situation unfold,” Castronovo commented.
Allegations state that Worthy ceased paying payroll taxes for 27 employees from September 2023 to January 2024, which is when the nonprofit ceased operations. Prosecutors estimate the wage theft during this period amounted to approximately $80,000. Additionally, Worthy reportedly received over $500,000 in public funds from the city’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development but allegedly failed to distribute it to employees of partner organizations.
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“One bad apple spoils it for everyone, and ultimately, it is those in genuine need of this funding who suffer the most. They will never fully recover. These funds were intended for good causes. Generous donors contributed to this, and in the end, it was all misappropriated by a fraudster,” Gelman remarked.
The DA’s office stated that the investigation is still active, and anyone with information is encouraged to reach out to the Public Integrity Task Force tip line at 628-652-4444.
