Former director of SLO LGBTQ+ nonprofit enters plea to embezzlement charges
The former executive director of San Luis Obispo County’s leading LGBTQ+ nonprofit pleaded not guilty to four charges related to alleged embezzlement from the nonprofit.
On Wednesday, former GALA Pride and Diversity Center executive director Dusty Colyer-Worth appeared in court for his arraignment in a case brought by the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office.
Colyer-Worth was charged with four separate grand theft felonies related to embezzlement, according to court documents.
He allegedly committed felony grand theft of more than $950 — a charge that can carry up to three years in prison — against the organization four times between November 2022 and August 2024, according to court filings.
As Colyer-Worth and attorney William Aron discussed the terms of the agreement with San Luis Obispo County Deputy District Attorney Ben Blumenthal, members of the GALA’s board looked on from the gallery.
During the arraignment, Blumenthal requested that Colyer-Worth have no contact with GALA’s staff and requested he stay at least three yards from GALA’s premises on 1060 Palm St., which is across the street from the courthouse.
Judge Rita Federman ultimately ordered Colyer-Worth to stay 100 yards from the GALA premises, with the exception of accessing the county courthouse.
Colyer-Worth’s ‘betrayal’ shocked GALA
Colyer-Worth served as GALA’s executive director for two years prior to moving into a part-time role with the nonprofit in June 2024.
Between June and September 2024, the organization began to encounter “persistent challenges” in accessing essential systems, processes and banking information, hindering its ability to maintain oversight, according to a letter shared with The Tribune last year.
GALA’s board moved to fully cut ties with Colyer-Worth on Sept. 22, 2024, and uncovered evidence of the alleged embezzlement on Oct. 2, 2024, according to the letter.
GALA board president Julia Thompson told The Tribune that the organization believes Colyer-Worth embezzled more than $46,000 during his time as executive director.
“Embezzlement of funds is crime that we take seriously,” District Attorney Dan Dow said in a news release. “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.”
In the letter, GALA’s board said it was “appalled” by the risk the alleged embezzlement posed to the organization’s services and mission, including advocacy, support groups and family-friendly events.
In the letter, the Board of Directors said it was working with local authorities and legal counsel to conduct a full investigation, including a forensic audit, to uncover the extent of Colyer-Worth’s alleged embezzlement.
“This betrayal has been horrifying to uncover, and we are grateful for your understanding as we navigate this difficult time,” the letter read. “We pledge to keep you informed throughout this process, and to bear witness to your grief as you process alongside us. Together we will rebuild and reaffirm our commitment to the community.”
The announcement came just a week after GALA announced it was facing financial struggles after a donor stopped contributing around $60,000 a year.
A complaint against Colyer-Worth was filed by the people of the state of California on Nov. 17, according to court filings.
Colyer-Worth posted a $20,000 bond on Nov. 25, and is not in jail custody.
He will next appear in court on Jan. 22 for a pre-preliminary hearing.
This story was originally published December 10, 2025 at 10:58 AM.
