Former director of Oakland youth boxing program charged with embezzlement

The previous chief of a distinguished non -profit group of Oakland was at this time within the federal courtroom for accusation of publish fraud and tax evasion, a part of a “association to cheat his group”, declare federal prosecutors.

Justice officers declare that Howard Solomon, as govt director of the East Oakland Boxing Affiliation, began darkening cash and property of the charity that began in 2017, shortly after he was employed.

Allegedly, Solomon has transferred cash from the group’s financial institution accounts to completely different accounts and solely had entry and purchased greater than $ 100,000 in private articles from Amazon utilizing the financial institution playing cards from the affiliation. Public Prosecutors additionally declare that he used Boxing Affiliation Fondsen to pay for a vacation dwelling and a Cadillac Escalade.

He’s additionally confronted with expenses as a result of he reportedly took a controversial donation of $ 50,000 from Steph and Ayesha Curry. The truck load items and cash from the Currys, acquired by Solomon and dozens of cheering youngsters, was proven in a single segment On the Ellen Degeneres present.

Solomon isn’t responsible of the costs. His lawyer, Randy Sue Pollock, refused to touch upon the case.

Solomon is confronted with a most of 20 years in jail, $ 250,000 in fines, forfeiture of stolen possession and refund, if convicted.

Based in 1987, the East Oakland Boxing Association Was initially a health club that supplied boxing coaching to deprived younger folks. Over time it was expanded to ship many different wellness and academic companies, together with tutorial enrichment, sports activities and train, gardening, artwork, cooking, expertise and media, and extra. In response to its web site, the non -profit group serves round 150 youngsters and youngsters in the summertime daily.

Dawna Williams, the interim -executive director of the Boksvereniging, stated that the information is as much as the area. “We’re solely staggering,” she stated, including that the group gives data to financiers. “We’ve youngsters in East Oakland who’re simply as resilient. We’ve to observe that, “she stated.

Howard was employed in 2017 by the East Oakland Boxing Affiliation. He acquired his first 12 months $ 99,079, a big enhance – about 50% above the wage of the earlier director. His wage was elevated to $ 140,000 in 2020, the latest 12 months for which data are publicly out there. The group raised greater than $ 600,000 in 2022 and spent greater than $ 800,000 that 12 months.

Town of Oakland has supported the East Oakland Boxing Affiliation. In 2023, the town paid The non -profit $ 150,000 to assist arrange ‘City Nights’, a road truthful in the summertime in the summertime. Since its basis, the town has too as long as The East Oakland Boxing Affiliation with its 98th Avenue Property Hire Free, together with two buildings, a backyard and basketball courts.

Felony investigators from Inside Income Service led the analysis that led to expenses towards Solomon.