Former San Francisco human rights leader Sheryl Davis and nonprofit executive James Spingola were taken into custody Monday, facing numerous felony charges tied to an alleged scheme involving conflicts of interest and misuse of public funds.
Davis once oversaw the Dream Keeper Initiative, a program launched under former San Francisco Mayor London Breed. The initiative aimed to direct $120 million into San Francisco’s Black community after the death of George Floyd in May 2020. The effort—already a subject of controversy—shifted funding away from law enforcement toward programs designed to address systemic poverty and inequality.
According to San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, Davis allegedly diverted portions of those funds for personal use, including first-class airfare, concert expenses, and public relations services to promote her book and personal brand.
Prosecutors have charged Davis with 13 felony counts related to financial conflicts of interest in government contracts, one felony count of misappropriating public funds, along with misdemeanor counts for receiving gifts from a restricted source and for a separate conflict of interest in a government decision, as detailed in the district attorney’s press release, reports National Review.
Spingola faces four felony counts for allegedly aiding and abetting Davis in conflicts of interest tied to contracts involving both the city and Collective Impact, a nonprofit that received municipal funding. Davis previously served as executive director of Collective Impact until 2019, when Spingola assumed leadership. Despite her departure, authorities say Davis remained involved in overseeing the organization’s finances.
Court documents allege Davis directed more than $4.5 million from the Dream Keeper Initiative to Collective Impact and played a role in determining how the funds were used. Additionally, while leading the Human Rights Campaign, she allegedly maintained influence within Collective Impact, steering money toward HRC and for her own personal benefit.
“Ms. Davis was funneling City money to Collective Impact, while also steering how Collective Impact spent its funds, both for HRC use and for her personal benefit. Her financial interest was not only that her personal and home life, including her rent, were partially funded by Mr. Spingola’s Collective Impact salary — a fact she never disclosed,” the press release reads.
The affidavit further claims Davis allocated $3.5 million in city funds to the Homeless Children’s Network. That organization later paid Davis’s son $140,000, which was deposited into a bank account accessible to Davis.
“We have to hold government actors accountable, certainly when they are abusing the trust of San Franciscans, when they are abusing taxpayer dollars, and in this case using funds that are supposed to be targeted towards the black community…and that money was lost,” Jenkins said Monday.
Prosecutors also allege Davis and Spingola have been romantically involved, sharing a home since 2015 with intertwined finances. Davis’s attorney, Tony Brass, argued that his client was placed in an untenable position.
“They provided her with no guidance about transitioning into government bureaucracy and asked her to develop a robust system to help those in need to advance not only individuals but San Francisco as a city where the black community could thrive,” he said.
Spingola’s attorney, Randall Knox, issued a statement defending his client.
“James Spingola is presumed innocent under the law and I have confidence in our justice system. I have not seen the evidence against him, so I am not able to say more,” Knox said.
Authorities also allege Davis arranged for a public library to purchase copies of a book she authored, allowing her to profit personally.
“Public integrity matters because our communities must be able to trust that government agencies treat everyone fairly and serve all members equally,” Jenkins said.