San Francisco County officials are grappling with the fallout from a significant financial scandal involving the now-dissolved nonprofit SF Safe, which has been linked to the misappropriation of over $700,000 in public funds. During a recent government meeting, Supervisor Aaron Peskin highlighted the troubling findings from a controller's audit that initially uncovered $80,000 in ineligible expenses, revealing that the extent of financial misconduct was far greater than previously thought.

The meeting served as a platform for accountability, following the arrest of former SF Safe director Kyra Worthy on 34 felony charges, including fraud and embezzlement. Peskin emphasized the need for a thorough examination of the financial controls that allowed such misuse of taxpayer money to occur. He expressed frustration over the lack of cooperation from SF Safe's board members, who have failed to respond adequately to inquiries and subpoenas regarding their oversight responsibilities.

The discussion also touched on the close ties between SF Safe and the San Francisco Police Department, which founded the organization in 1976. Questions arose about the police department's involvement in the hiring of Worthy and its oversight of SF Safe's operations. Assistant Chief Walsh provided insights into the department's limited engagement with SF Safe, acknowledging that while there were collaborative efforts, the depth of oversight during Worthy's tenure was insufficient.

As the investigation continues, city officials are calling for stronger accountability measures for nonprofit boards, stressing the importance of proper financial oversight to prevent future scandals. The implications of this case extend beyond SF Safe, highlighting systemic issues within nonprofit governance in San Francisco. The city is now tasked with ensuring that similar lapses in oversight do not occur again, as it seeks to restore public trust in its financial management practices.