The San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office filed four counts of grand theft by embezzlement against a former executive director of the Gala Pride and Diversity Center, the district attorney announced on December 1, 2025.
A case was filed on November 17, 2025, against 46-year-old Dustin Robert Colyerworth of Santa Cruz, the district attorney said in the statement.
While acting as an agent, servant, and employee of the Gala Pride and Diversity Center, Colyerworth allegedly embezzled funds from the center over two years, from November 2022 through October 2024, according to the felony complaint filed in the Superior Court.
Colyerworth “unlawfully” took “money and personal property” totaling $950 from the Gala Pride and Diversity Center on four counts, according to the complaint. He is charged with violating Penal Code 487 (a).
The complaint added that under Penal Code Section 1170 (b)(2), one or more aggravating factors listed in California Rule of Court 4.421 may apply to the defendant or to the defendant’s conduct. These include:
- 4.421 (a)(3): The victim was particularly vulnerable
- 4.421 (a)(7): The defendant is charged with other crimes for which consecutive sentences can be imposed but for which concurrent sentences shall be imposed.
- 4.421 (a)(8): The manner in which the crime was carried out indicates planning, sophistication, or professionalism.
- 4.421 (a)(9): The crime involved an attempted or actual taking or damage of great monetary value.
- 4.421 (a)(11): The defendant took advantage of a position of trust and confidence to commit the offense.
Founded in 1997, the Gala Pride and Diversity Center supports and empowers individuals of all gender identities and sexual orientations and provides support, advocacy, and resources to LGBTQ+ individuals, according to its website.
Embezzlement of funds is treated as a grave crime and is taken seriously, District Attorney Dan Dow said in the statement.
“It inflicts real financial harm, but its deeper damage is the broken trust and the lost opportunities when the money intended for our community is diverted into private pockets,” Dow added.
On November 25, 2025, Colyerworth posted a $20,000 bond with the Superior Court and is not in jail custody, according to the statement.
He is scheduled to be arraigned on December 10, 2025, in Department 3 of the San Luis Obispo Branch of the San Luis Obispo County Superior Court, the statement added.
The San Luis Obispo Police Department investigated the case.
A criminal complaint includes charges that must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law, the statement said. Every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
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This is hardly a felony level theft. One should suspect that some personal animus is directing this. Almost any “executive” over reaches a few hundred dollars a year in their expense account claims I think. Charge it as a misdemeanor and move on.
Can’t you people read?
under Penal Code Section 1170 (b)(2), one or more aggravating factors listed in California Rule of Court 4.421 may apply to the defendant or to the defendant’s conduct. These include:
4.421 (a)(3): The victim was particularly vulnerable
4.421 (a)(7): The defendant is charged with other crimes for which consecutive sentences can be imposed but for which concurrent sentences shall be imposed.
4.421 (a)(8): The manner in which the crime was carried out indicates planning, sophistication, or professionalism.
4.421 (a)(9): The crime involved an attempted or actual taking or damage of great monetary value.
4.421 (a)(11): The defendant took advantage of a position of trust and confidence to commit the offense.
MarcelK, can’t you read between the lines? Is what the prosecutor puts out in a one sided press release enough for you. The criticism of this as apparent overcharging is certainly within the range of fair comment. DAs will overcharge to up the threat of penalty and coerce a plea from the accused. They have total discretion to do this and it will stand until due process occurs and a judge and/or jury hears from the defendant.
So theft from this group of people carries additional charges than say a theft of $950 from a department store? Seems like it would be difficult to prove intent.
ZIPS – well thank goodness you’re not a lawyer and hopefully never a juror! Yeah, so embezzlement is way different from retail theft at a department store.
You could read the article and learn a little bit more about this, but LOL…. come on, we know you.
Which of these apply to theft from a department store, you low IQ bigot?
under Penal Code Section 1170 (b)(2), one or more aggravating factors listed in California Rule of Court 4.421 may apply to the defendant or to the defendant’s conduct. These include:
4.421 (a)(3): The victim was particularly vulnerable
4.421 (a)(7): The defendant is charged with other crimes for which consecutive sentences can be imposed but for which concurrent sentences shall be imposed.
4.421 (a)(8): The manner in which the crime was carried out indicates planning, sophistication, or professionalism.
4.421 (a)(9): The crime involved an attempted or actual taking or damage of great monetary value.
4.421 (a)(11): The defendant took advantage of a position of trust and confidence to commit the offense.
$950?? That’s it? Chump change. Let’s save the costs to taxpayers and focus on bugger fish. He’s already been embarrassed. He won’t get another shot at running one of these things again. Look at him : )
Troll has inconsistent views about law enforcement, crime, and punishment.
What are we supposed to see when we look at him?