Legal actions unfold as Long Beach officials challenge the Foodbank over fund misuse.
Long Beach officials have filed a lawsuit against the Foodbank of Southern California, accusing its leaders of misusing over $11 million in funds meant for vulnerable communities. Allegations include falsified reimbursements and extravagant personal spending. The lawsuit seeks reimbursement of over $10 million amid concerns about accountability at the organization, which has served the community since 1975.
Long Beach, California—In a shocking turn of events, officials have filed a lawsuit against the Foodbank of Southern California, accusing the nonprofit and its leaders of misusing over $11 million in funds intended for vulnerable communities. Many are left scratching their heads and asking just how things got so far out of hand.
It all started back on June 1, 2024, when a whistleblower came forward with some pretty serious allegations. The complaint outlined what appears to be a pattern of falsified expense reimbursements and blatant misuse of nonprofit funds. Fast forward to October 2024, and the Foodbank had shut its doors, facing scrutiny from the Department of Social Services (DSS).
According to the allegations, the mismanaged funds were used for various personal luxuries, leaving many to wonder how leaders of an organization meant to help the community could divert such large sums for their own use. The lawsuit claims that over the past decade, approximately $11 million was funneled out for nonexistent goods and services. This includes a staggering $200,000 allegedly spent on 4,000 $50 Walmart gift cards without any documentation proving these were distributed to anyone in need.
The lawsuit names several key individuals, including the former CEO, Jeanne Cooper, and the current CEO, Brian Weaver, among others. It accuses them of using nonprofit funds for personal expenses such as home renovations, grooming services, and even an artificial Christmas tree. It’s hard to believe that such extravagant spending was happening while the Foodbank was supposed to be helping those in need.
Some rather eye-popping specifics from the investigation include $228,000 spent at retailers like Best Buy and Home Depot using corporate accounts. Adding to the oddities, Cooper allegedly sent $4,800 to her sister-in-law under mysterious circumstances, sparking more questions about the financial management at the Foodbank.
The current CEO, Brian Weaver, finds himself in hot water as well. He is accused of using a $20,000 cashier’s check from the nonprofit to purchase a personal Tesla. On top of this, he allegedly hired family members for roles that raised eyebrows, such as a project manager and an accountant for the organization.
Adding to the controversy, board member Dion Rambo is accused of securing a $279,749 agreement with a company that didn’t provide any services. Meanwhile, Michael Barrett reportedly spent nonprofit funds on billboard advertising related to his church.
Another board member, Alice “Sweet” Harris, is implicated in funneling $172,896 of Foodbank funds to her own nonprofit, Parents of Watts. Moreover, she allegedly hired her granddaughter for a position that did not seem to yield any results. All this indicates a pattern of nepotism and misallocation of resources.
The lawsuit also shines a light on Egerton Forster, who is accused of securing board membership and misappropriating $50,000 in Foodbank funds for his wife’s company while also sending $14,000 to a church he leads.
The Foodbank of Southern California has been a staple in the community since 1975, helping low-income neighborhoods by distributing about 40 to 60 million pounds of food annually. Now, this scandal raises serious questions about trust and accountability within such organizations.
As the investigation continues, the lawsuit seeks reimbursement of $10.4 million in misappropriated funds, and experts suggest this figure might increase as more evidence surfaces. With a rich history of serving the community, many are left hoping for justice and transparency during this challenging time.
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