Former Social Advocates for Youth Employee Sentenced for Embezzlement

Defendant Lisa Fatu, a 42-year-old former employee of Social Advocates for Youth (SAY) in Santa Rosa, CA, was sentenced today by the Honorable Robert LaForge for stealing more than $50,000 of SAY funds to pay her personal bills. Ms. Fatu was sentenced to three years’ probation and ordered to serve four months in county jail. She was also ordered to pay restitution in the full amount of the loss and to make monthly payments. She made an initial payment at her hearing of $5,000. Ms. Fatu had been a long-term employee of SAY, which is a community organization that serves vulnerable youth and their families in Sonoma County.

District Attorney Rodriguez stated, “Ms. Fatu worked at SAY for many years, and was well-aware of the financial needs of the organization and the at-risk youth it serves on a daily basis. Despite this, she took advantage of her position of trust to siphon funds to pay for personal expenses. The court held Ms. Fatu accountable for her actions with this sentence, which includes an order to pay restitution to SAY.”

Ms. Fatu had previously entered a plea to one count of grand theft from SAY on April 10, 2023. The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Amy Ariyoshi and investigated by the Santa Rosa Police Department.