Alameda Police Department (APD) detectives have arrested a former employee of local nonprofit Girls Inc. of the Island City [1] in connection with an embezzlement scheme involving a loss of more than $460,000, according to an APD report [2] on Facebook and confirmed by the organization’s CEO, Jennifer M. Pigza.
[3]Safiullah Manzoor, 43, of Walnut Creek, was arrested on March 11, and is charged with a felony count of embezzlement over time, according to a report in the East Bay Times [4]. Manzoor pleaded not guilty on Friday, March 13 and was released on his own recognizance. His pre-trial hearing is scheduled for May 14.
In an email sent on Tuesday, March 17, to donors, families and key partners, Pigza said the financial irregularities involving the former employee were initially identified in May 2025. Pigza shared that email with the Alameda Post.
“We acted promptly to stop the activity, begin an investigation, and cooperate with authorities,” the email stated. “The individual was placed on leave and is no longer with the organization. Last week, this person was arrested on charges of embezzlement.”
Because this remains an active investigation and involves a personnel matter, Pigza told the Post, there are limits to what the organization can share at this time. Therefore, she did not release the suspect’s name.
Investigation and arrest
Following the discovery, the organization “engaged an experienced external firm to conduct a comprehensive review of our financial and accounting processes,” the email stated. “Based on that review, we implemented strengthened controls, including clearer accountability for financial responsibilities, stronger segregation of duties, a more rigorous month-end close, increased leadership oversight and monitoring, and more consistent Board and committee reporting.”
The Alameda Police Department’s investigation started in early October, after a report stating the former employee possibly took roughly $22,000 from the organization, according to the APD report. As the investigation progressed, APD detectives uncovered an elaborate scheme that had allegedly been carried out over several years.
Last week, APD detectives arrested the former employee at their residence in connection with the investigation. The case has been forwarded to the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office for review.
“Importantly, the funds in question were taken from program fee revenue, not from grant funds, school district funds, or donor contributions,” a Girls Inc. press release stated. “While outcomes cannot be guaranteed, the organization is pursuing all appropriate avenues, including through the courts, to recover the funds.”
Tips to reduce the risk of embezzlement
APD encourages businesses and nonprofit organizations to maintain strong financial oversight practices to help protect their organizations and the communities they serve.
Here are some tips the department shared in the Facebook report:
- Avoid allowing a single individual to oversee all financial responsibilities. Implement checks and balances whenever possible.
- Conduct regular internal audits and financial reviews.
- Be cautious if an employee responsible for financial duties refuses to allow others to review their work or insists on handling all financial processes alone.
- Separate financial duties among multiple employees to increase transparency and accountability.