Federal prosecutors on Friday announced the arrest of Alexander Soofer, head of a South Los Angeles nonprofit, on wire-fraud charges tied to the alleged theft of more than $23 million intended to support people experiencing homelessness.
Soofer, 42, ran Abundant Blessings, a Hyde Park-based charity that received tens of millions in homelessness funding between 2018 and 2025. Authorities allege Soofer diverted at least $10 million for personal use, including a $7 million Westwood home, private jet travel, luxury shopping and a vacation property in Greece. Prosecutors also say he stayed at high-end resorts, including a Maui hotel featured in HBO’s “The White Lotus.”
Despite contracts requiring the nonprofit to provide three nutritious meals daily to more than 600 unhoused residents, investigators say conditions at Soofer-operated sites were far below standards. Residents were allegedly served meals such as instant ramen, canned beans and microwave-heated breakfast bars. In July 2025, city investigators publicly criticized a contractor for serving mostly instant ramen — a practice Los Angeles City Controller Kenneth Mejia said violated contractual requirements.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Soofer entered multiple agreements with the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) to operate housing and supportive services throughout South Los Angeles. By mid-2023, those contracts covered more than 600 residents across several locations.
Prosecutors allege Soofer attempted to conceal the fraud by submitting false and misleading invoices, sometimes using the names and logos of legitimate businesses to disguise improper spending. Authorities also claim Soofer falsely represented that Abundant Blessings had an active board of directors, when some listed members did not exist and others were unaware they were associated with the organization.
Federal officials say Soofer received over $5 million directly from LAHSA and more than $17 million through another nonprofit, Special Service for Groups Inc., during the alleged scheme.
Investigators allege the misused funds paid for private school tuition, luxury trips to Las Vegas, extensive renovations to Soofer’s Westwood home and a $125,000 Range Rover, which was seized during his arrest. Authorities also say Soofer wired nearly $475,000 to a Greek developer to purchase a vacation home overseas.
“This morning, we arrested this individual on a charge of wire fraud for siphoning taxpayer dollars into his personal accounts,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli at a downtown Los Angeles news conference.
FBI Los Angeles Field Office Assistant Director Akil Davis accused Soofer of placing personal greed above the needs of vulnerable residents, while IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Tyler Hatcher said the arrest underscores the government’s commitment to protecting taxpayer funds.
The case is the third arrest announced by the Homelessness Fraud and Corruption Task Force, a joint effort involving the FBI, IRS and the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Inspector General. Prosecutors say more than two dozen investigations related to homelessness funding are still ongoing.
Soofer was arrested Friday morning and is scheduled to make his initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Santa Ana. He is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in federal prison.
