Latest news with #EOBA
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Yahoo
Nonprofit director of Oakland boxing gym who got $50K from Currys accused of embezzlement
(KRON) — In a 2019 segment on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Stephen and Ayesha Curry helped one Oakland nonprofit with a surprise. The Currys donated a plethora of gifts for the kids at the East Oakland Boxing Association (EOBA), including a $50,000 cash donation. It turns out that a former executive director of the nonprofit, 38-year-old Oakland man Howard Solomon, is part of a scheme that defrauded the East Oakland Boxing Association, according to the United States Department of Justice (DOJ). Solomon was leading the nonprofit when the Currys stopped by the gym a little more than five years ago. Newsom orders state employees back to the office four days a week later this year Solomon is charged with mail fraud and tax evasion in a scheme against his former employer, a DOJ press release on Monday announced. Solomon served as executive director for the nonprofit from 2017 until April 2021 — a job that includes responsibilities of 'managing daily operations, soliciting contributions and fundraising, managing program and staff, overseeing budget and finances, and community outreach.' According to the DOJ, Solomon embezzled money from the nonprofit for personal use. He is accused of using the nonprofit's money to pay for a vacation rental property, his Amazon orders and a Ford Explorer SUV. Solomon is also accused of depositing the $50,000 donation from the Currys into his personal bank account, the DOJ said. The ex-nonprofit leader allegedly falsified his taxes from 2018-2021. If convicted, Solomon faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 or 'twice the value of the property involved in the transactions for the count of mail fraud and five years in prison and a fine of $100,000 for each count of tax evasion,' the DOJ's press release said. The EOBA was founded in 1987 and has a mission to help kids grow in areas more than just the boxing ring. It aims to serve kids' wellness in the classroom, home and in the community. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
04-03-2025
- CBS News
Former Oakland youth boxing program director faces mail fraud, tax evasion charges
The former director of an Oakland nonprofit pleaded not guilty Monday to embezzling more than $100,000 from the organization he once led. Howard Solomon ran the East Oakland Boxing Association, a nonprofit organization that provides boxing lessons, coaching and mentorship to children. The gym is located on 98th St. near San Leandro. As the director of EOBA, Solomon was in charge of managing daily operations, fundraising and oversight of the organization's budget and finances. He's accused of using EOBA funds for personal use and is facing charges of embezzlement, mail fraud and tax evasion. Back in 2019 Steph and Ayesha Curry were guests on the Ellen DeGeneres special "Ellen's Greatest Night of Giveaways" when they presented Solomon and his organization with $50,000 and gifts. According to court documents, he pocketed that money. Solomon has been accused of embezzling funds collected for the organization since at least 2017. He allegedly used money from EOBA accounts to purchase $100,000 worth of personal items from Amazon and falsely claimed these purchases were for the organization. He allegedly used the organization's accounts to pay for vacation rental properties and bought a Ford Explorer with EOBA funds that he later traded in for a Cadillac Escalade. Solomon is charged with owing more federal income tax than was declared due on his federal income tax returns and filing false and fraudulent income tax returns for tax years 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021. He appeared in federal district court on Monday and entered a not guilty plea. He is currently out on a $25,000 bond.
