CEO of Palm Springs Trans Advocacy Organization Indicted on Charges of Fraud

Jacob Rostovsky created and led Palm Springs LGBTQ+ advocacy organization Queer Works. Now he's under indictment, accused of siphoning almost $1 million in public funds to his own pocket, local newspaper the Desert Sun reported.

"Prosecutors allege he stole $940,000 from the city of Palm Springs, Riverside County and others," the writeup detailed, specifying that Rostovsky faces "53 felony counts, including grand theft and money laundering."

Queer Works, The Advocate explained, was "established to provide mental health services to transgender and nonbinary people in Palm Springs and the surrounding area."

Under Rostovsky's leadership, Queer Works "accepted $700,000 from the city of Palm Springs to develop a guaranteed income pilot program," the Desert Sun relayed. "City administrators eventually grew suspicious of Rostovsky's spending and launched a compliance audit, before involving the Riverside County District Attorney's Office."

The Advocate noted that "Early reporting indicated the universal basic income program would focus on trans residents" in Palm Springs, and detailed that "The investigation by the DA's office found 89 instances in which Rostovsky made false statements and submitted forged documents to the county government and the city of Palm Springs to obtain more than $840,000 in all, funds that were supposed to go to the basic income program and housing assistance."

Citing the release from the DA's office, The Desert Sun reported that "Rostovsky collected $90,000 by impersonating a Queer Works client and filing a fraudulent insurance claim against Queer Works."

"Using an alias, Rostovsky allegedly negotiated a settlement with Queer Works' insurance carrier," the Desert Sun article continued, adding that he allegedly "directed the payout from the settlement to himself, according to the DA."

Rostovsky was hit with bail that exceeded the amount he allegedly stole: $944,000, which he posted, the Desert Sun reported.