Howard Solomon, a 38-year-old resident of Oakland, has been charged with mail fraud and tax evasion. The charges are linked to an alleged scheme to defraud the East Oakland Boxing Association, a non-profit organization that serves children in East Oakland by providing internships, mentoring, programming, and boxing lessons.
Solomon served as the executive director of the organization from around 2017 until April 2021. His role involved managing daily operations, fundraising, overseeing budgets and finances, and community outreach. He had access to the non-profit's bank accounts and debit cards.
The criminal information filed on February 26 accuses Solomon of embezzling funds for personal use during his tenure. This includes using money for Amazon purchases, a vacation rental property, and a Ford Explorer. Additionally, he is accused of depositing into his personal account a $50,000 donation made to the association following Stephen Curry and Ayesha Curry's appearance on "Ellen’s Greatest Night of Giveaways" in December 2019.
Solomon also faces charges for allegedly underreporting federal income taxes on returns filed for 2018 through 2021. He is charged with one count of mail fraud under 18 U.S.C. § 1341 and four counts of tax evasion under 26 U.S.C. § 7201.
At his initial court appearance in Oakland today, Solomon waived indictment by a grand jury. His next court date is set for April 9 before U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers.
"A criminal information merely alleges that crimes have been committed," authorities stated, emphasizing that defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt. If convicted, Solomon could face up to 20 years in prison and fines related to mail fraud charges; each tax evasion charge carries potential penalties of five years in prison and additional fines.
The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Patrick D. Robbins alongside IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent Linda Nguyen from the Oakland Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Green is prosecuting with assistance from Amala James following an investigation by IRS-CI.