The former head of a Portland nonprofit focused on revitalizing the Alberta Arts District has been sentenced to probation after admitting to stealing more than $100,000 in donations, according to the Oregon Department of Justice.
Devon Horace, who led the Alberta Main Street organization from July 2021 to January 2023, pleaded no contest to one count of first-degree theft and one count of falsifying business records in a deal with prosecutors.
He was sentenced Thursday to 12 months of formal probation. According to the DOJ, Horace repaid just over $85,000 in restitution and completed 240 hours of community service.
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office said Alberta Main Street was established to help develop the Alberta neighborhood into a vibrant and sustainable commercial district. Financial discrepancies surfaced in early 2023 after most board members resigned, leaving only two members to wind down the nonprofit’s operations. A financial reconciliation uncovered irregularities that triggered a criminal investigation.
Prosecutors said Horace secured $50,000 in donations from Nike, his former employer, and $5,000 from the Portland Trail Blazers, then withdrew the funds without authorization and concealed the transactions from the board. Authorities said he ultimately paid himself $85,000 through those withdrawals.
Investigators also found that Horace took $7,000 from the nonprofit under the pretense of repaying a Paycheck Protection Program loan that had already been forgiven. Bank records showed additional cash withdrawals ranging from $3,000 to $7,000 with no documented legitimate purpose.
Because Alberta Main Streetdissolved in 2023, restitution payments were directed to the Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods.
Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez said Horace violated the trust placed in him as a nonprofit leader, harming the community he was meant to serve.
Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield emphasized the importance of protecting charitable contributions and ensuring accountability when nonprofit leaders misuse funds.
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