Homeless Fraud: South Los Angeles Charity Executive Director Arrested In Alleged $23M Federal Swindle

South Los Angeles charity executive director Alexander Soofer was arrested and charged Friday with fraudulently obtaining $23 million in taxpayer funds intended to combat homelessness, while allegedly pocketing at least $10 million for himself, according to officials.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California Bill Essayli held a press conference alongside other authorities, including Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman and IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Tyler Hatcher. During the conference, Essayli announced that Soofer was arrested on a federal criminal complaint charging him with wire fraud, allegedly carried out through his charity, Abundant Blessings.

“California is the poster child of rampant fraud, waste, and abuse of tax dollars,” Essayli said. “The state has facilitated the spending of billions of dollars to combat homelessness, with little to show for it and almost no oversight. Thankfully, the federal government has begun auditing California’s spending and today’s is just one example of how fraudsters have swindled millions of dollars from tax papers. This money should have gone to those in need, instead in lines the pockets of individuals subsidizing their lavish lifestyle.”

According to officials, Soofer served as the executive director of the Hyde Park charity, which was supposed to house and feed the homeless in the greater Los Angeles area. Soofer contracted with the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, securing multiple agreements to provide housing and supportive services to more than 600 homeless program participants across several sites.

Between 2018 and 2025, Soofer allegedly received more than $23 million in funding, with over $5 million coming directly from LAHSA. The remaining $17 million allegedly came from a city-based nonprofit called Special Service for Groups Inc., officials said.