Attorney General Schwalb Requires Former Nonprofit Treasurer to Repay Pocketed Funds Intended for Elementary School Children

Settlement Bans Former Board Officer Who Abused Role at Parent-Teacher Organization from Future Nonprofit Leadership 


Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb today announced a settlement resolving the Office of the Attorney General’s (OAG) 2024 lawsuit against the former Treasurer and board member of Parents Organized for the Power of Powell School (POPPS), a nonprofit parent-teacher organization created to support Powell Elementary School in Ward 4. The lawsuit alleged that Robynn Chandler-Mitchell abused her leadership role with the organization by spending money that the Powell community had raised through POPPS on personal expenditures such as vacation expenses in Cancun, car payments and groceries, payments to friends, and personal purchases at shoe stores, restaurants, and nail salons—all in violation of the District’s Nonprofit Corporation Act (NCA).

“Nonprofit bank accounts cannot be used as personal ATMs,” said Attorney General Schwalb. “Chandler-Mitchell misappropriated funds intended to support POPPS and its nonprofit mission – supporting the students, teachers, and staff at Powell Elementary, and we are requiring her to return those misappropriated funds. As the District’s independent Attorney General, I will continue to ensure that nonprofit officers in DC follow the law and do not abuse their positions for illegal private enrichment.”

Background on OAG’s Lawsuit

OAG’s investigation revealed that, between October 2021, shortly after being elected Treasurer, and September 2022, when she unilaterally closed the POPPS bank account, Chandler-Mitchell transferred POPPS funds to herself, used the organization’s debit card for personal expenses, and frequently withdrew cash from the POPPS bank account. During that time, Chandler-Mitchell repeatedly informed the POPPS Board that its finances were sound, even as her personal spending depleted the bank account until it was overdrawn.

Under the terms of the settlement, Ms. Chandler-Mitchell will:

  • Pay back $17,084.84 to POPPS.
  • Never serve in a leadership position at any District nonprofit.

A copy of the settlement can be found here.

This matter was handled by Assistant Attorneys General Leonor Miranda, Cara Spencer, and Antitrust & Nonprofit Enforcement Section Chief Adam Gitlin.

 

OAG’s Nonprofit Enforcement Work
Since becoming an independently elected Attorney General’s office, OAG has steadily expanded its capacity to enforce District laws governing nonprofits. Recently, OAG sued the former director of an affordable housing nonprofit and won a ban prohibiting the Executive Director of a police accountability nonprofit from serving on any other District nonprofit board, among other relief. OAG also secured a revised deal to sell the Providence Hospital campus for residential redevelopment that protected $5 million in healthcare resources for the District and ensured that the proceeds of the sale of property owned by an affordable-housing nonprofit would still be used to provide affordable housing in the District. OAG also resolved actions against the Coast Guard Auxiliary Association for improper payments to its Board President, and Delta Phi Epsilon, Inc. for using nonprofit funds for personal gain.