San Francisco homeless nonprofit paid official’s son $10K to make 5 slides for presentation
Sheryl Davis has been accused of pervasive “self-dealing,” per prosecutors.
Posted For: MugsMalone
A San Francisco nonprofit focused on helping homeless families paid the son of the city’s top human rights official $10,000 to prepare five presentation slides for a panel his mother was moderating — at the same time she was approving millions of dollars in city contracts for the organization, according to prosecutors.
Sheryl Davis, who served as head of the San Francisco Human Rights Commission, was arrested Monday on multiple public corruption charges related to her leadership of the Dream Keeper Initiative, a $120 million program created to support Black communities in the city.
During her time overseeing the initiative, Davis approved more than $3.5 million in city contracts for the Homeless Children’s Network, a San Francisco nonprofit that provides substance abuse counseling and other services for vulnerable families. Prosecutors allege the organization later made “questionable” payments totaling more than $140,000 to Davis’ son.
One payment included $10,000 for creating five slides for a panel presentation in which the nonprofit’s executive director participated. The payment also covered preparing possible answers to questions she might be asked during the event.
City records identify Davis’ son as Henry Davis. Over a period of less than three years, he received about $140,000 from the nonprofit for research services.
Prosecutors have not accused Davis’ son of wrongdoing. However, investigators said the payments created “the appearance of impropriety and unfairness.”
According to an affidavit, he was allowed to add descriptions of his work into contracts himself and set his own pay rate and payment schedule.
Investigators also allege the nonprofit made payments into a bank account jointly held by Davis and her son, which they say created a conflict of interest.
Authorities say it remains unclear how much of the money ultimately came from city funds because the nonprofit kept mostly paper records and its electronic records were unreliable.
Prosecutors described Davis’ conduct as a “pervasive pattern of self-dealing” connected to the Dream Keeper Initiative. Following an 18-month investigation by the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office, she now faces 17 felony charges and two misdemeanor charges.
Davis’ live-in partner, James Spingola, was also arrested and is accused of four felony counts related to helping carry out the alleged scheme.
Prosecutors say Davis used Collective Impact, a nonprofit run by Spingola, as a type of slush fund to help cover expensive events and other high-cost activities. These reportedly included celebrity-filled gatherings, restaurant buyouts, VIP tickets, and similar expenses.
City funds and Collective Impact money were reportedly used together to pay several high-profile speakers and performers, including a $10,000 speaking fee for Sonya Curry, the mother of NBA star Steph Curry. Other payments included roughly $27,000 to singer Goapele, $25,000 to rapper and producer D-Nice, and about $25,000 to Grammy-nominated singer Emily King.
Investigators say Davis did not disclose her close personal relationship with Spingola while directing city funding to his nonprofit.
Between 2021 and 2024, Collective Impact received nearly $8.5 million in grants from the city.
A previous audit also found that funds from the Human Rights Commission were used for a number of costly events and expenses. These included a $2.1 million party in Philadelphia featuring an ice rink rental, DJ, flowers, and catering. Other spending cited in the audit included $267,000 on gala tickets and sponsorships and a $60,000 venue rental at the Golden State Warriors’ Chase Center.
Prosecutors say Collective Impact also paid more than $45,000 to or on behalf of Davis’ son during 2023 and 2024.
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