Canyon Lake Woman Indicted In Federal Court On 30 Embezzlement Counts

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — A Canyon Lake woman who led two Inland Empire nonprofits was indicted in federal court Tuesday on dozens of embezzlement counts stemming from her alleged misuse of grant money.

Fifty-one-year-old Donise Warren, who also goes by “Donise Warren-Jackson,” “Donise Jackson,” and “Donise Conerly,” is charged with 15 counts of embezzlement from organizations receiving federal funds and 15 counts of embezzlement of government property. Each charge is a felony punishable by up to 10 years in federal prison, according to prosecutors.

Warren pleaded not guilty to all counts during her arraignment Tuesday in Riverside's United States District Court.

Warren was the president, CEO, and executive director of the Citadel Community Development Corporation, whose stated mission was to assist at-risk individuals with accessing affordable housing, career services and education services. She was also the president, CEO, and executive director of the Citadel Community Care Facility, another nonprofit. Both organizations have operated out of 568 N Mountain View Avenue in San Bernardino.

According to the indictment, which a grand jury returned on May 1, Warren controlled CCDC from about March 2016 until at least October 2023. During that time, on CCDC’s behalf, Warren applied for and was awarded three grants from the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration.

The grant money could only be used on authorized expenditures, but Warren allegedly embezzled approximately $101,000, using it for wedding and travel expenses, including a $25,000 payment to her spouse’s personal credit card.

The indictment also showed that Warren controlled CCCF from at least March 2020 to approximately February 2023. During that time, on CCCF’s behalf, she applied for a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration grant. After CCCF was awarded the funding, Warren allegedly embezzled approximately $127,500 of the money to her personal Coinbase account, where she purchased various cryptocurrencies.

During Tuesday's arraignment, a federal magistrate judge ordered Warren released on $75,000 bond. Her trial is scheduled for July 1.