Former nonprofit director sentenced for embezzlement
– Former Gala Pride and Diversity Center Executive Director Dustin Colyerworth has been sentenced after pleading guilty to two felony counts of grand theft by embezzlement and paying $59,302.07 in restitution, according to the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office.
Colyerworth began serving as executive director of the Gala Pride and Diversity Center in July 2022. According to prosecutors, beginning in late November 2022 and continuing for several months, he embezzled tens of thousands of dollars from the nonprofit organization while serving in the position.
Colyerworth left the organization in September 2024. After his departure, Gala discovered evidence of the embezzlement and reported the matter to the San Luis Obispo Police Department.
On May 21, Colyerworth pleaded guilty to two felony counts of grand theft by embezzlement. He also admitted three aggravating factors: that the crimes involved planning, sophistication, or professionalism; that they involved the taking of a large monetary value; and that he took advantage of a position of trust or confidence to commit the offenses.
As part of the plea agreement, Colyerworth agreed to pay $59,302.07 in restitution through the Probation Department before sentencing. According to the district attorney’s office, he paid the restitution in full on June 18.
In exchange for the guilty plea and admissions, the District Attorney’s Office agreed to recommend that the court sentence Colyerworth to two years of formal felony probation, 90 days in county jail, and standard terms and conditions of probation. Before agreeing to the negotiated disposition, prosecutors confirmed with the current Gala Board of Directors that the restitution amount would make the organization financially whole, including interest on the money taken.
On June 25, Judge Michael Frye sentenced Colyerworth in accordance with the plea agreement after confirming restitution had been paid. The court ordered Colyerworth to surrender to the county jail on Sept. 30 to begin serving his sentence.
“When someone abuses a position of trust for personal gain, it undermines confidence in institutions that serve our community. We will continue to aggressively prosecute fraud and protect victims,” District Attorney Dan Dow said.
If Colyerworth violates probation, he faces a maximum sentence of three years, eight months in county jail, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
The case was investigated by San Luis Obispo Police Department Detective Marcelo Magana and prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Ben Blumenthal of the District Attorney’s Major Fraud and Public Integrity Unit. Victim services were provided by Victim Advocate Tristan Milledge, and witness coordination was provided by Eloiza Basinger.
