The San Francisco chapter of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence has reported an alleged theft by one of their own members of "a significant sum of SPI funds ... taken for improper personal purposes."
The Sisters, a long beloved drag nun troupe known for using drag and religious imagery for political theater, as well raising large amounts of money for charity, were founded in 1979. According to the website Influence Watch, as of 2016, the group has raised more than $1.5 million, which is distributed to the community in the forms of grants and other aid. The group has chapters around the United States as well as nine other countries.
Board members for the San Francisco chapter discovered the theft August 3. According to a statement from Sister Tilda NexTime, the order's abbess, "The alleged offender was forthcoming with a written acknowledgement that 'money that was not mine' was taken. Immediate steps were taken to prevent any further improper use of funds, the member was immediately suspended, and legal counsel was engaged. After a demand for restitution went unanswered a police report was filed."
San Francisco Police Department Officer Kathryn Winters responded August 12 to a request for comment and confirmed an investigation is ongoing. No arrests have been made.
"On August 8, 2022 at approximately 9:05 p.m., San Francisco Police officers were contacted a Mission Station regarding an embezzlement incident," Winters stated in an email.
"The witness told officers that the suspect in this incident had embezzled money from a nonprofit organization over the course of several months," Winters added.
The Sisters' announcement did not disclose the amount of money allegedly stolen or the name of the suspect. A request for comment to Sister Tilda was not immediately returned.
Calling the money the group raises for community benefit "a sacred trust," the statement continued, "To think that this trust may have been violated by one of our own shakes us to our core. We ask for your continued trust and support as we work vigorously to resolve this matter and make the SPI and the community whole."
Tilda stated that, "Upon the advice of counsel, and because law enforcement is involved, the SPI will not disclose further information or make any further comments at this time."
The Sisters posted the announcement of the theft on their Facebook page August 11 and received numerous well wishes from the public.
"I am shocked and saddened to learn of this breach of trust by a member of the order," commented San Francisco resident Sarah Steer. "I can only imagine the pain that is being experienced by its membership, and community partners."
Brandon Roberts wrote, "So sad that even with the best intentions people will take unlawful advantage! I hope you recover the lost funds."
One person — AJ Solis — remembered the Sisters for the help one nun had given them years before.
"It was an SPI member who gave me her muni fast pass once when I first got to SFO 25 years ago," Solis wrote. "I was a broke kid and alone and couldn't even afford to get on that damn bus at Castro and Market but that fast pass helped me eat that whole month until I found a job and eventually got on my feet. I've never forgot that to this day and I'm sad that this has happened."
Anyone with information is asked to call the SFPD Tip Line at 1-415-575-4444 or Text a Tip to TIP411 and begin the text message with SFPD. You may remain anonymous.
Updated, 8/12/22: This article has been updated with information from SFPD.
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