Former Gala Pride and Diversity Center Director charged with felony embezzlement

By Paso Robles Press · Tue Dec 02 2025

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — The San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office has filed four felony counts of grand theft by embezzlement against former Gala Pride and Diversity Center Executive Director Dustin Robert Colyerworth, 46, of Santa Cruz.

According to the DA’s Office, the charges allege Colyerworth embezzled funds from the organization between November 2022 and October 2024 while serving as its executive director. An arrest warrant was issued on Nov. 17.

“Embezzlement of funds is crime that we take seriously,” said District Attorney Dan Dow. “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.” 

Colyerworth posted a $20,000 bond on Nov. 25 and is not currently in custody. He is scheduled to be arraigned Dec. 10 in Department 3 of the San Luis Obispo County Superior Court.

Officials emphasized that the charges are allegations and that Colyerworth is presumed innocent until proven guilty. The case was investigated by the San Luis Obispo Police Department.

Feature image courtesy of SLO County District Attorney