Oakland Boxing Charity Leader Sentenced for Embezzlement
Howard Solomon received a 27-month federal prison sentence for diverting charity funds and evading taxes.
Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Financial Crime
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Former East Oakland Boxing Association executive director Howard Solomon was sentenced on September 24, 2025, to 27 months in federal prison for mail fraud and tax evasion. Solomon embezzled over $549,000 from the organization between 2017 and 2021 to cover personal expenses.
Why it matters
The case highlights the misuse of donor funds by an official who exploited his position as an authorized signatory on the charity's accounts. Solomon failed to report the stolen money as income, leading to significant federal tax evasion charges.
A federal judge ordered Solomon to pay $549,132.74 in restitution to the East Oakland Boxing Association and $287,185 to the IRS. He began his 27-month sentence on October 30, 2025, following his guilty plea on April 23, 2025.
The players
Howard Solomon
He served as the executive director of the East Oakland Boxing Association from 2016 until 2021.
Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers
She is the federal judge who presided over the case and sentenced the defendant.
East Oakland Boxing Association
This is the local non-profit organization that was the target of the embezzlement.
The details
Solomon used his authority to transfer funds to personal accounts, including a $50,000 donation received in October 2019 that he kept hidden from staff. He spent the money on a vehicle, a vacation rental, and various Amazon purchases.
Timeline
Between 2017 and 2021, Solomon embezzled at least $549,000 from the organization.
In October 2019, the charity received the $50,000 donation that Solomon diverted.
On April 23, 2025, Solomon pleaded guilty to charges of mail fraud and tax evasion.
On September 24, 2025, Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers handed down the 27-month prison sentence.
On October 30, 2025, Solomon began serving his federal prison term.
Legal Context
This conviction aligns with federal sentencing guidelines for white-collar crimes involving both mail fraud and tax evasion. It follows a pattern of heightened federal scrutiny for non-profit officials who violate their fiduciary duties through personal misappropriation of assets.
The loss of over half a million dollars represents a significant depletion of resources meant for local youth programming. Residents and donors can use this case as a reminder to verify the financial transparency and governance structures of local non-profits.
The takeaway
Donors should periodically review the annual 990 filings of charities to ensure funds are being utilized for their intended community purposes. Transparency in governance remains the best defense against internal fraud for non-profit organizations.
Further reading
Learn more about local oversight and enforcement efforts at the Financial Crime section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Times of India.
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