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Former COO Charged with Embezzling $132K in Public Funds

2/19/2026

Summary

Story summary

Amy Knox, former COO of the Harm Reduction Coalition of San Diego, is accused of embezzling $132,000 in public funds for personal expenses, including cosmetic surgeries and luxury vacations.
Prosecutors allege she spent $30,000 on surgeries and $94,000 on purebred dogs and trips.
Knox faces six felony counts and could receive up to seven years in prison, currently held on $250,000 bail.
District Attorney Summer Stephan criticized the misuse of funds meant for anti-overdose kits, leading to layoffs and the cancellation of $11 million in county contracts.

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Story summary

Amy Knox, former COO of the Harm Reduction Coalition of San Diego, is accused of embezzling $132,000 in public funds for personal expenses, including cosmetic surgeries and luxury vacations.
Prosecutors allege she spent $30,000 on surgeries and $94,000 on purebred dogs and trips.
Knox faces six felony counts and could receive up to seven years in prison, currently held on $250,000 bail.
District Attorney Summer Stephan criticized the misuse of funds meant for anti-overdose kits, leading to layoffs and the cancellation of $11 million in county contracts.