Ex-Inland Empire Nonprofit CEO Stole $225K in Federal Funds for Wedding, Crypto

Ex-Inland Empire Nonprofit CEO Stole $225K in Federal Funds for Wedding, Crypto

RIVERSIDE, California – A former Inland Empire nonprofit CEO has been arrested on charges of embezzling over $225,000 in federal grant funds intended for her organizations, using the money for unauthorized expenses such as a wedding and cryptocurrency purchases.

Donise Warren, 51, a.k.a. “Donise Warren-Jackson,” “Donise Jackson,” and “Donise Conerly,” of Canyon Lake, is accused of embezzling federal grant money from two San Bernardino County nonprofit organizations, the Citadel Community Development Corporation (CCDC) and the Citadel Community Care Facility (CCCF).

Between 2016 and 2023, Warren allegedly embezzled approximately $101,000 of CCDC’s grant money, using it on wedding and travel expenses, including a $25,000 payment to her spouse’s personal credit card. The funds were meant for programs assisting at-risk individuals with affordable housing, career services, and education services.

In 2020, Warren allegedly embezzled another $127,500 of a grant from the United States Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The money was transferred to her personal Coinbase account, where she purchased various cryptocurrencies.

Warren was the president, CEO, and executive director of both CCDC and CCCF. According to the indictment, she controlled CCDC from at least March 2016 until at least October 2023, and CCCF from at least March 2020 to approximately February 2023.

Warren faces 15 counts of embezzlement from organizations receiving federal funds and 15 counts of embezzlement of government property, each punishable by up to 10 years in federal prison. She pleaded not guilty to the charges and was released on $75,000 bond. Her trial is scheduled for July 1.

The United States Department of Labor Office of Inspector General and the United States Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General investigated this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Cory L. Burleson of the Riverside Branch Office is prosecuting the case.