Fraud

DOJ Says Workers at L.A. Homeless Nonprofits Spent Tax Dollars on Vacations, Nightclubs, Bail

Three people in the Los Angeles area have been charged with fraud related to misappropriation of homelessness funds.

Christian Britschgi | 9.16.2026 5:05 PM

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(Illustration: Midjourney)

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced Wednesday that it had charged three individuals with defrauding federal funds intended for Los Angeles–area homelessness programs. 

Two of the defendants, Michael Young and Lakiya Malone, were arrested by federal agents at their homes Wednesday morning. Both have been charged with wire fraud. A third defendant, Donye Mitchell, remains at large. 

Young is the founder of the nonprofit Home At Last. The DOJ says that the nonprofit received $118 million in public funds through various contracts with the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), a city-county body tasked with coordinating and........

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