San Francisco's very own Providence Foundation, entrusted with supporting the city's homeless, has been caught red-handed defrauding city coffers, according to a statement from City Attorney David Chiu. A staunch defender of the public purse, Chiu has barred the nonprofit from any new city deals indefinitely after uncovering a scam that saw over $100,000 in city funds disappear into thin air.
Providence Foundation, under the direction of Executive Director Patricia Doyle and Operations Director Kenisha Roach, submitted bogus invoices. Among the falsified claims were charges for painting and deadbolt removal at the Oasis Hotel, a shelter for families without homes. In a classic instance of a shell game, the nonprofit seemed to have tried to divert focus away from these misdeeds, only for Chiu to eventually shut them down in a move he described as essential to "root out bad actors who take advantage of our public resources," per the City Attorney of San Francisco.
The fraudulent invoices from a business called Will Do It Construction provided fictitious details, including a fabricated contractor's license number. The failure to deliver the services claimed was apparent, as no fresh paint adorned the Oasis, and deadbolts remained in their place, according to the City Attorney's office findings.
Extending beyond fraud, Providence's operations are seethed with nepotism and fiscal mismanagement. City Attorney Chiu's office outlined a laundry list of transgressions, including, but not limited to, wage theft, unauthorized surveillance of confidential conversations, and billing for unauthorized expenses and staff time. It appears to have become customary for the nonprofit to ignore the terms of its grant agreements. Chiu's response was swift and punitive: Providence is now suspended from receiving city contracts or grants, pending a debarment process that could see them banished for up to five years.
This suspension, however, doesn't spell immediate doom for Providence's existing contracts or the services it provides. Chiu assured that there would be no interruption for those relying on Providence's help due to the suspension.
For those who wish to do their part in keeping the city's affairs clean, City Attorney Chiu points to San Francisco's Whistleblower Program, where any noted impropriety or illegal activities can be reported.
