Sacramento NAACP Sues Ex-Leaders Over Alleged Misuse of Pandemic Funds

Key Highlights

• Lawsuit filed in Sacramento County Superior Court against three former officers and related businesses.

• Accusations include fraud, misrepresentation, and breach of duty.

• Programs involved: “Dine at Home” and “Dine-In 2” meal delivery initiatives during COVID-19.

• Alleged amount diverted: Over $700,000, nearly one-third of the budget.

• Next court date: February 2, 2026.

Lawsuit Targets Former Sacramento NAACP Leaders

The Greater Sacramento NAACP has initiated legal proceedings in Sacramento County Superior Court against three of its former leaders—President Betty Williams, Education Chair Salena Pryor, and Treasurer Lorraine Moore—along with several affiliated businesses.

According to the complaint, the organization accuses the three of exploiting meal delivery initiatives meant for seniors and food-insecure families during the COVID-19 pandemic, allegedly directing hundreds of thousands of dollars to themselves. The claims include fraud, breach of duty, and misrepresentation. The lawsuit seeks financial recovery, damages, and legal fees.

Pandemic Meal Programs Under Scrutiny

Sacramento County introduced the “Dine at Home” initiative during the pandemic to support both homebound seniors and local restaurants. In 2022, Williams and Pryor, assisted by Moore, presented a follow-up program called “Dine-In 2.” The county approved funding of $2.75 million, with about $2.1 million allocated for meal kits and the remainder for administrative expenses.

Williams, who signed two contracts on behalf of the branch, was bound by rules prohibiting conflicts of interest for officers or employees. The lawsuit alleges these safeguards were violated.

Alleged Misuse of Funds

Court filings claim that Williams compensated herself $150 per hour as executive director and paid her assistant $24 per hour. Pryor is accused of billing more than $60,000 in reimbursements and nearly $19,000 in accounting charges, including one invoice at an extraordinary $1,000 per hour. Moore allegedly collected payments for administrative services.

Altogether, businesses tied to the three leaders are said to have received over $700,000, accounting for nearly one-third of the program’s total budget. Investigators also reported duplicate invoices, questionable billing during the program’s closure, and missing documentation.

Internal and County Investigations

The National NAACP began examining the Sacramento branch in spring 2023 after irregularities surfaced, including missing reports and delayed restaurant payments. By October 2023, the national office suspended Williams, Pryor, Moore, and three additional members. In December 2024, its board extended the suspensions: Williams indefinitely, Pryor for six years, and Moore for five.

Sacramento County also pursued its own review, later demanding repayment of nearly $950,000 in “disallowed costs” and $1.7 million in undocumented expenses.

Case Moves Toward Court Hearing

The lawsuit emphasizes the need to resolve discrepancies, address the county’s repayment demand, and repair reputational harm caused by what it describes as the conduct of “a few rogue members.”

A court hearing is set for February 2, 2026.