San Francisco has been rocked by the ongoing fallout from a high-profile nonprofit scandal, as former executive Kyra Worthy takes legal action against the police-funded charity she once led.
Worthy, 50, is suing SF SAFE and its former board chair, Dan Lawson, asserting that she is owed thousands in unpaid wages and vacation pay.
Allegations of Unpaid Compensation
Worthy, who seeks around $26,000, was fired after public funds were allegedly misused by the organization.
In her lawsuit, she claims the nonprofit never issued her final paycheck and failed to compensate her for accrued vacation time.
According to court documents, Worthy made repeated attempts to receive her payments before resorting to legal action.
Background of SF SAFE Closure
SF SAFE, a 48-year-old nonprofit focused on crime prevention and community safety, abruptly closed in January 2024 amid widespread allegations of financial misconduct.
The scandal revealed that public funds were allegedly spent on extravagant luxuries, including a $15,000 Lake Tahoe trip, valet parking, limo services, and expensive gifts, leaving the charity depleted.
Felony Charges and Emotional Distress
Following her dismissal, Worthy faced approximately 34 felony charges related to the alleged misuse of over $700,000 in public funds.
She has pleaded not guilty to these charges.
The lawsuit also details emotional distress caused by the scandal, including anxiety, insomnia, and depression, which she attributes to the fallout from her termination and the public scrutiny she endured.
Dispute Over Termination
Worthy claims that she never received formal notification of her firing, only learning of it after journalists reached out for comment.
Her exit from SF SAFE in January 2024 was described as “cold, hostile, and adversarial.”
A former employee, speaking anonymously, criticized Worthy’s lawsuit, noting that other staff members also did not receive final paychecks or compensation for unused leave.
Mismanagement of Public Funds
The San Francisco Police Department had funded SF SAFE as a “community engagement arm,” contributing between $3.8 million and $5.3 million over several years without auditing receipts.
According to the District Attorney, Worthy allegedly spent over $350,000 on luxury gift boxes and nearly $100,000 on a single event called Candy Explosion in 2023.
She also reportedly used organizational funds to cover $8,000 in personal rent and paid for in-home healthcare for her parents, disguised as community programming.
Statements from Officials
The District Attorney noted that when Worthy was hired in 2018, SF SAFE had over $300,000 in cash reserves.
Despite millions in public and private funding over the next five years, alleged mismanagement led to the nonprofit closing with no remaining assets.
Supervisor Aaron Peskin called for funding cuts, saying, “They should not be doing business with her, plain and simple.”
Moving Forward
The Daily Mail reached out to Kyra Worthy and SF SAFE for comment on the lawsuit.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the case highlights ongoing concerns over accountability and oversight in publicly funded nonprofits in San Francisco.