Former Goodwill Sacramento CEO Arrested and Charged with Stealing $1 Million+ from Nonprofit
Former Goodwill Sacramento Valley and Northern Nevada CEO Richard Alan Abrusci was arrested Thursday, October 19th, 2023, and charged with nine counts of wire fraud, one count of aggravated identity theft, and three counts of monetary transactions with proceeds of specified unlawful activity. He is accused of stealing over $1 million from the non-profit organization.
According to the indictment, Abrusci allegedly directed Goodwill to pay approximately $1.4 million to a fictional company he created. He is suspected of using various fraudulent means to divert funds from the organization, including:
- Creating a fake company and issuing invoices to Goodwill for services that were never rendered.
- Using company credit cards for personal expenses.
- Writing checks to himself and forging signatures.
Goodwill Sacramento Valley and Northern Nevada became aware of the alleged theft through internal audits and launched an investigation. Upon uncovering evidence of wrongdoing, they contacted authorities, leading to Abrusci’s arrest.
Abrusci faces the following potential consequences if convicted:
- Up to 20 years in prison for each count of wire fraud.
- Up to 2 years in prison for aggravated identity theft.
- Up to 10 years in prison for each count of monetary transactions with proceeds of specified unlawful activity.
- A fine of up to $250,000 for each count.
This incident has significantly impacted Goodwill Sacramento Valley and Northern Nevada. The organization has expressed its disappointment and anger at Abrusci’s alleged actions and emphasized its commitment to serving its community.
Staying Informed:
To stay informed about the latest developments in this case, please follow these resources:
- Goodwill Sacramento Valley and Northern Nevada website: https://goodwillsacto.org/
- Sacramento Bee: https://www.sacbee.com/
- KCRA 3 News: https://www.kcra.com/
This case serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in non-profit organizations. Goodwill Sacramento is taking steps to strengthen its internal controls and financial reporting systems to prevent similar incidents in the future.
