On Tuesday, Gwendolyn Westbrook, former CEO of the United Council for Human Services, appeared in criminal court facing accusations of misappropriating more than $1 million intended for the unhoused. Westbrook faces nine felony charges including grand theft, embezzlement, misappropriation of public funds, fraud, and tax evasion related to her leadership at the nonprofit.
The case highlights concerns about oversight and accountability in organizations that receive public funding to serve vulnerable populations. Prosecutors allege that Westbrook used at least $1.2 million from the organization’s accounts to support a lavish lifestyle, including purchases such as high-end cars, jewelry, and luxury goods.
District Attorney Brook Jenkins said Westbrook withdrew or transferred $1.2 million into her personal account from the organization’s account. Jenkins also said there is another $1.4 million withdrawn from the United Council for Human Services’ account that remains unaccounted for. “So, we’re talking about over $3 million of taxpayer money that has been misappropriated and is missing,” Jenkins said.
Westbrook was arrested on Friday and released from custody over the weekend. In court on Tuesday afternoon, she agreed to postpone the formal reading of charges with her public defender present and declined to comment on the allegations.
The charges stem from an investigation by the city attorney and an audit of grant funds sent to the United Council for Human Services between 2019 and 2023. This case follows other recent investigations involving nonprofit leaders in San Francisco accused of financial misconduct.
Jenkins said her office’s public integrity unit is conducting multiple investigations to ensure those who abuse public trust are held accountable: “My public integrity unit is working overtime in a number of investigations to make sure that those who have abused the public’s trust, whose who have misappropriated or misspent funds held accountable.” Westbrook is scheduled to return to court on March 9 for formal charging proceedings.
For more details see KTVU.
