News Releases

Alexander Soofer allegedly misappropriated millions in government funds intended for homeless services in LA County

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office has charged Alexander Soofer, the CEO of the nonprofit Abundant Blessings, with defrauding the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) of more than $5 million, approximately $2 million of which illegally went toward his own properties or was accounted for through fraudulent invoices between 2022 and 2024.

District Attorney Hochman announced the charges at a news conference with federal agencies announcing separate federal charges.

“Self-dealing government funds intended for food and housing for homeless residents of LA County, including families and children, is despicable,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said. “The defendant called his company “Abundant Blessings,” but the only abundant blessings he gave were to himself. My office will ensure anyone who thinks they can defraud the government will be brought to justice.”

Watch the news conference.

Soofer (dob 11/12/83) is charged in case 26CJCF00450 with 11 felony counts of conflict of interest, two felony counts of offering false evidence and five felony counts of forgery in connection with millions of dollars in contracts between LAHSA and Abundant Blessings.

The case was filed for warrant on Jan. 22.

The 11 conflict of interest charges stem from contracts between Abundant Blessings and LAHSA in which the contracts expressly stated that Soofer could not own the properties used to house homeless residents or subcontract with himself or family members with a financial interest in the properties or companies providing a service.

The stolen LAHSA funds were earmarked for Youth Homelessness, Bridge Housing, Winter Shelter, Home Safe, Inside Safe and other programs. Soofer also allegedly failed to provide shelter and nutritious meals per his contractual obligations.

District Attorney Hochman added, “The defendant allegedly betrayed the public trust, and I assure Mr. Soofer that unlike the homeless he allegedly stole from, he will have shelter and get three nutritious meals a day in prison.”

On June 30, 2024, Soofer allegedly provided fake subcontractor invoices to LAHSA with the names of real companies including Revolution Kitchen and Armed Elite Services.

If convicted as charged, Soofer faces 17 years and 6 months in custody, including state prison and county jail.

This case is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Casey Higgins of the Public Integrity Division and remains under investigation by the District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigation.

The charges filed in this case are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.