BY EMILY MIBACH
Daily Post Staff Writer
Investigators are trying to find out what a former administrator of a counseling nonprofit in San Mateo County did with the estimated $700,000 she allegedly took from the charity.
Clarise Blanchard’s bank accounts have been frozen, according to District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe. Investigators are combing through bank records to see what Blanchard spent the money on. So far there haven’t been clear clues, such as nice handbags or lavish trips, according to the DA.
The DA’s office alleges Blanchard stole $700,000 over 13 years between 2009 and 2022 from the nonprofit StarVista. The nonprofit said in a statement that Blanchard’s purview was not financial.
The San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office began investigating Blanchard, 76, of Foster City, who retired last year from StarVista as its clinical director after another employee got a message from a foundation that had donated $50,000 to the nonprofit, said Wagstaffe.
The employee couldn’t find any information on the donation, the DA said. StarVista did an audit and found there was much more money missing than just a single $50,000 donation.
An arrest warrant for Blanchard was signed by Judge Sean Dabel on Nov. 7. She was booked into Maguire Jail on Nov. 16., and the same day she posted a bail bond, according to sheriff and court records.
When Blanchard retired in May 2022, she was the third-highest-paid employee of StarVista, only below CEO Sara Larios Mitchell and CFO Dianette Washer, according to tax forms for the nonprofit. For the 2021 tax year, her base pay was $147,583 and she got $10,047 in “other pay,” according to the tax documents.
StarVista’s total revenue in 2021 was $17.1 million, with $15.9 million coming from contributions and grants, according to tax forms. The nonprofit spent $16.4 million in 2021, $13 million of that on salaries, according to the tax forms.
Blanchard was named San Mateo County Woman of the Year in 2008 for her work with helping women with substance abuse and mental health issues.
StarVista works with various local governments including police agencies and school districts to provide counseling, training and crisis intervention programs. Board members for StarVista include San Mateo Chief Ed Barberini, retired Burlingame Police Chief Eric Wollman and Jenee Littrell, associate superintendent for the San Mateo County Office of Education.
Blanchard was charged yesterday with three felonies related to embezzlement, identity theft and forgery. She faces a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in prison, Wagstaffe said. She is out of jail after posting a $70,000 bond and will be back in court on Feb. 28.
Stealing $700,000 over 13 years with no oversight is absurd. Maybe she stashed the money elsewhere. Or spent the cash over the years without depositing into her bank account, which can be easily tracked.
I guess Star Vista didn’t need the 700,000 dollars, so why donate?
Why is she still on SMC Women Hall of fame?
Also people in Finance and the CEO must be investigated as well.
No way she did this alone.