A woman tasked with the mission to defend human rights in San Francisco was stealing funds from a nonprofit for her personal enrichment, according to prosecutors.
Sheryl Davis. 57, was charged with 17 felony counts that included conflict of interest in a government contract, perjury, and misappropriating public funds.
Prosecutors said she misappropriated funds from a charity meant to benefit homeless children that received $3.5 million of city funds.
Authorities were tipped off by a whistleblower to Davis’ alleged illegal activities, according to a press release from San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins.
Davis was in charge of tens of millions of taxpayer dollars from the Dream Keeper Initiative but allegedly funneled the cash to companies where she could personally benefit. The program was meant to invest in the African-American community after the rioting over the death of George Floyd.
Prosecutors said she misappropriated funds from a charity meant to benefit homeless children that received $3.5 million of city funds. The organization paid Davis’ son about $140,000, which was “deposited into a bank account Ms. Davis jointly owned and controlled.”
Other numerous schemes were outlined by prosecutors in which Davis and 65-year-old James Spingola, a co-conspirator who ran a San Francisco nonprofit, allegedly misappropriated funds for their own benefit.
Spingola was charged with four felony counts of aiding and abetting Davis’ conflict of interest in four contracts with the city.
Both Davis and Spingola were arrested on Monday and were booked into the San Francisco County Jail and given a $50,000 bond each.
Davis was fired in 2024 after it was discovered that she was living with Spingola without disclosing the relationship with the grant recipient. She was also accused of misusing funds at that time. The job paid $350,000 a year when she was fired.
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“These are not routine charges,” Jenkins said. “But I want to be clear: These are allegations that will ultimately be proven or disproven in court.”
Prosecutors say Davis may face additional charges. The investigation into her alleged misconduct involved more than 50 search warrants and spanned over 18 months.
“We have charged what we believe we had the evidence to prove,” Jenkins added.
Davis posted an odd message after the arrest on her social media account.
“Where are my encouraging and supportive sisters?” she asked.
Her attorney denied that she was guilty of any felonious conduct.
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