The former financial director of a San Diego nonprofit pleaded guilty in federal court Thursday to conducting a fraud scheme that siphoned more than $430,000 from the organization. Katherine Lu Acquista, 47, admitted to stealing money for her own personal expenses while she was the director of operations and accounting for the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation . She carried out the scheme for about five years from 2017 to 2022, according to court records.
Acquista worked for an organization whose goal is to help the San Diego community; however, she chose to abuse her position of trust within the organization,” said FBI San Diego Acting Special Agent in Charge John Kim. “The FBI remains committed to ensuring that individuals who deliberately compromise the integrity of their position and organization for personal gain will be brought to justice.