San Francisco, CA – District Attorney Brooke Jenkins announced today that multiple felony charges have been filed against Lanita Henriquez (53) of Oakland, the Director of San Francisco’s Community Challenge Grant Program, and Rudolph Dwayne Jones (56) of Oakland, the founder and president of RDJ Enterprises and a former city employee. These charges are a result of an on-going investigation by the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office Public Integrity Task Force with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s San Francisco Field Office.
“The charges announced today reflect my office’s on-going commitment to hold public officials accountable when they seek to enrich themselves at the public’s expense,” said District Attorney Brooke Jenkins. “The public funds allocated to the City’s Community Challenge Grant Program are intended to benefit the communities of our City – not to line the pockets of government officials. My office will continue to investigate allegations of misconduct by public officials and employees, and our work with our federal partners will be a key part of that effort.”
Ms. Henriquez was arrested this morning pursuant to a warrant issued by the Superior Court of San Francisco. A warrant issued for the arrest of Mr. Jones is still outstanding. In connection with these charges, SFDA District Attorney Investigators and FBI Special Agents executed search warrants at multiple locations in San Francisco and Alameda Counties.
A criminal complaint filed by the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office alleges that, over a period of four years from July 2016 through July 2020, Henriquez and Jones appropriated public moneys to their own use and the use of others. The complaint further alleges that Jones paid Henriquez a series of checks between February 2017 and October 2018 totaling $25,000. Further, the complaint alleges that Henriquez made twenty-three contracts in her official capacity between the City and County of San Francisco and entities controlled by Jones in which she had financial interests between July2016 and July 2020.
Ms. Henriquez has been charged in a criminal complaint with one count of Misappropriation of Public Money in violation of California Penal Code section 424, six counts of Bribery in violation of Penal Code section 68, and twenty-three counts of Financial Conflict of Interest in a Government Contract, in violation of Government Code section 1090(a).
Mr. Jones has been charged in the same criminal complaint with one count of Misappropriation of Public Money in violation of California Penal Code section 424, six counts of Bribery in violation of Penal Code section 67.5, and twenty-three counts of Aiding and Abetting a Financial Conflict of Interest in a Government Contract, in violation of Government Code section 1090(b).
An affidavit filed with the Court further alleges that, in her official capacity, Henriquez entered into contracts on behalf of the City and County of San Francisco with entities controlled by Jones totaling over $1.4 million. Leading up to and during the period of these contracts, Henriquez received nine checks totaling $32,942 from entities controlled by Jones, and family members and close associates of Henriquez received forty-eight additional checks from entities controlled by Jones totaling $156,821.
Arraignment and future court dates for Ms. Henriquez and Mr. Jones will be scheduled by the San Francisco Superior Court.
Although, charges have been filed, this remains an active investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office Special Prosecutions Unit at 628.652.4000. You may remain anonymous.
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