Former Sonoma County Nonprofit Director Sentenced For Embezzlement

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — A former director for a Sonoma County nonprofit was sentenced Tuesday for stealing more than $50,0000 from the organization to pay her personal bills, the Sonoma County District Attorney's Office said.

Lisa Fatu, 42, was sentenced by Sonoma County Superior Court Judge Robert LaForge to serve four months in county jail and three years of probation.

Fatu was a long-term employee of Santa Rosa-based Social Advocates for Youth — SAY—a community organization that serves vulnerable youth and their families in Sonoma County.

While working as director of Youth Crisis and Career Services for SAY, Fatu was responsible for a budget of $1.4 million and oversaw programs for human trafficking prevention, housing placement and street outreach, according to a 2019 article by the North Bay Business Journal.

In 2019, Fatu was named to a list of "Forty under 40" notable young professionals by the North Bay Business Journal.

In May 2022, representatives from SAY contacted the Santa Rosa Police Department regarding possible embezzlement within their organization. In June 2022, police received financial documentation from SAY related to the suspected embezzlement by Fatu, who'd worked for the organization for nearly 21 years until she was let go in spring 2022.

An investigation led Santa Rosa police detectives to believe Fatu embezzled at least $53,000 since 2017, Santa Rosa police Sgt. Christopher Mahurin said in a 2022 news release.

"Fatu was entrusted with a business credit card that could be used for job-related expenses," Mahurin said. "Fatu is suspected of using the business credit card to purchase personal items for her home (like a couch) and paying for personal services (cell phone and utility bills)."

In September 2022 after months of investigating, detectives arrested Fatu during a traffic stop near Piner Road and Jenes Lane.

On April 10, Fatu entered a plea and admitted to one count of grand theft from SAY.

"Ms. Fatu worked at SAY for many years and was well aware of the financial needs of the organization and the at-risk youth it serves on a daily basis," District Attorney Carla Rodriguez said. "Despite this, she took advantage of her position of trust to siphon funds to pay for personal expenses. The court held Ms. Fatu accountable for her actions with this sentence, which includes an order to pay restitution to SAY."

Fatu must make monthly payments on the restitution, which she was ordered to pay in full.

At her sentencing hearing, Fatu made an initial payment of $5,000.