Howard Solomon, a 38-year-old Oakland resident and former executive director of the East Oakland Boxing Association, faces serious legal troubles after being charged with mail fraud and tax evasion. The U.S. Attorney's Office states that Solomon, who managed the non-profit's daily operations until April 2021, allegedly embezzled funds for personal use and failed to report proper income tax over several years.
The criminal information, filed on February 26, outlines Solomon's unauthorized personal expenses, including Amazon purchases, a vacation rental, and a Ford Explorer. More egregiously, Solomon is accused of pocketing a $50,000 donation from a 2019 event featuring Stephen and Ayesha Curry, an event meant to benefit the youth served by the non-profit. Solomon bypassed proper channels, instead depositing this generous contribution into his personal account.
During an initial appearance in federal district court in Oakland, Solomon waived indictment by a grand jury. His case is now scheduled for a status hearing on April 9, 2025, where he will appear before U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers. Solomon faces up to 20 years in prison for mail fraud, with an additional potential penalty for tax evasion. Each of the four counts of tax evasion carries up to five years in prison and a $100,000 fine.
Acting U.S. Attorney Patrick D. Robbins and IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Linda Nguyen announced the charges, emphasizing the seriousness of Solomon's alleged offenses. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tom Green and Amala James are leading the prosecution, a collaborative effort resulting from an IRS-CI investigation. While the charges are severe, it is important to remember that Solomon is presumed innocent until proven guilty, like all defendants.
