Scandals and Successes: A Tale of Two Worlds

The past week has seen a stark contrast in the world of tech, finance, and beyond. On one hand, scandals have rocked the headlines, with a former San Francisco homeless charity CEO facing felony charges for embezzling $1.2 million in public funds. On the other hand, a crypto company has reported better-than-expected earnings, sending its stock soaring.

According to prosecutors, Gwendolyn Westbrook, the former CEO of the United Council for Human Services, raided the accounts of the nonprofit organization, using the funds for personal expenses, including luxury vehicles and Louis Vuitton items. Westbrook, 71, faces charges of misappropriation of public funds, grand theft, and filing false California tax returns.

In contrast, Circle, a fintech company that issues and regulates stablecoins, reported fourth-quarter and full fiscal year 2025 earnings that exceeded expectations. The company's total revenue grew 77% to $770 million during the fourth quarter, and net income for the quarter increased by $129 million. Adjusted EBITDA also grew 412% during the quarter. As a result, Circle's stock price skyrocketed more than 15% during pre-trading.

However, not all news is good news. Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft, acknowledged in a staff town hall meeting that he had made a "huge mistake" by meeting with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Gates said that he had misjudged his relationship with Epstein, which contradicted the values of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

In other news, Jony Ive, Apple's former chief design officer, shared a lesson he learned from Steve Jobs, the late co-founder of Apple. In a letter published by The Steve Jobs Archive, Ive wrote that Jobs taught him that learning is more important than being right. Ive said that Jobs' "insatiable curiosity" was not restrained by his extensive expertise, and that he was "ferocious, energetic and restless" in learning new things.

Meanwhile, a former Los Angeles fire chief has filed a lawsuit against the city, alleging that her ouster was part of an orchestrated effort to smear her conduct and decision-making. Kristin Crowley, who was sacked by Mayor Karen Bass after the January 2025 Palisades Fire, claims that Bass spread misinformation to protect the mayor's political reputation.

In conclusion, the past week has seen a mix of scandals and successes, highlighting the complexities and challenges of the modern world. As the news continues to unfold, one thing is certain – accountability, transparency, and innovation will remain crucial in shaping the future of tech, finance, and beyond.

Sources:

• The Steve Jobs Archive
• San Francisco District Attorney's Office
• Circle
• Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
• City of Los Angeles