Former Gala Pride and Diversity Center director guilty of embezzlement
CalCoastNews
May 22, 2026
It’s a tough one to digest this week, neighbors. According to CalCoastNews, the former director of the San Luis Obispo Gala Pride and Diversity Center, Dustin Robert Colyerworth, has pleaded guilty to two counts of embezzlement. He’s been ordered to pay back nearly $60,000 to the organization—a significant sum for a nonprofit that relies so heavily on community trust and donations to support our LGBTQ+ friends and families here on the Central Coast.
For those of us who’ve walked through Gala’s doors or cheered at their Pride events, this news stings. That center has been a cornerstone of connection and advocacy in SLO for years, and seeing that trust broken is disheartening. Still, it’s important to remember that this is one individual’s actions, not a reflection of the vital work the center continues to do. If anything, this moment reminds us how much we need to support our local nonprofits—not just with our wallets, but with vigilance and care. Here’s hoping Gala can heal and keep shining for all of us.
This summary was written by AI based on the original article from CalCoastNews.
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CalCoastNewsPublished
May 22, 2026
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