Former Charity Director Sentenced for Embezzling Funds Linked to Curry Appearance

Howard Solomon, the former executive director of the East Oakland Boxing Association, has been sentenced to 27 months in federal prison. The sentencing follows his guilty plea to charges of mail fraud and tax evasion related to a multi-year embezzlement scheme.

Prosecutors stated that Solomon diverted at least $549,000 from the organization between 2017 and 2021. Among the funds misappropriated was a $50,000 donation from a television studio, which was connected to a 2019 appearance by Stephen and Ayesha Curry on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

Solomon used his position as an authorized signatory on the charity’s bank accounts to transfer funds into his personal control. Officials noted that the stolen money was spent on personal items, including a vehicle and vacation rentals, rather than the youth boxing and educational programs the charity provides.

In addition to the prison term, Solomon was ordered to pay $549,132.74 in restitution to the East Oakland Boxing Association. He must also pay $287,185 to the Internal Revenue Service for unpaid taxes resulting from his failure to report the embezzled funds as income.