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Nonprofit leader pleads not guilty in LA homeless spending fraud case
Michael Young, founder of the Culver City nonprofit Home At Last, pleaded not guilty Thursday, Oct. 22, to allegedly misappropriating millions of dollars in public funds intended for homeless housing, according to federal prosecutors.
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Topline:
Michael Young, founder of the Culver City nonprofit Home At Last, pleaded not guilty Thursday to allegedly misappropriating millions of dollars in public funds intended for homeless housing, according to federal prosecutors.
Background: Young was charged with one felony count of wire fraud and faces up to 20 years in prison. He was arrested last month on allegations that he took part in a yearslong scheme to defraud taxpayers and local government agencies with public funds intended for homeless housing.
Young’s lawyers did not immediately respond to LAist’s request for comment.
What we know: Through numerous contracts, Young allegedly received $118 million from the city of Los Angeles, L.A. County and the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority. Federal prosecutors alleged that Young spent $1 million on opening a high-end nightclub and restaurant, a nearly $50,000 trip to Tahiti, and a $140,000 restoration of a vintage Chevy Impala.
Spending criticism: Bill Essayli, the region’s top federal prosecutor and L.A. County District Attorney Nathan Hochman have criticized what they called a glaring lack of oversight of massive spending on homeless services. Hochman cited a court-ordered 2025 report that found L.A. city officials failed to properly track $2.3 billion in homeless funds.
What’s next? Young’s trial is scheduled for Dec. 7, according to the Department of Justice.
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