United Way Executive Accused of Stealing $158,000 While Working Remotely

Trusted Leader Allegedly Exploits Position

Mary Lou Hargrave, 65, former executive director of the Guadalupe County United Way, was arrested on Dec. 23 and faces a charge of theft of property between $150,000 and $300,000 from a nonprofit organization . The warrant alleges that between December 2023 and June 2025, Hargrave — who became the nonprofit's executive director in 2018 — took $158,000 from the nonprofit through "unauthorized debit card charges, cash withdrawals, checks issued to herself and additional payroll checks issued to herself" .

The theft allegedly occurred while Hargrave operated with minimal oversight. Hargrave moved to Utah in December 2023, where she worked remotely and was "operating without oversight" and "working remotely with no one nearby to question her actions" . The Guadalupe County United Way's board did not have a treasurer after December 2023 , creating a perfect storm for financial misconduct.

Complex Scheme Uncovered Through Audit

In July, the president of the Guadalupe County United Way's board of directors told Seguin police that money was missing from an operational account . The subsequent investigation revealed a sophisticated pattern of financial manipulation. An audit found that Hargrave had moved $117,000 from the United Way's money market account to its operational account in an attempt to "cover the cost of her spending" .

Many of the unauthorized transactions on the Guadalupe County United Way's operational account were Amazon purchases , suggesting the stolen funds were used for personal expenses rather than charitable purposes. The scheme demonstrates how trusted employees can exploit weak internal controls, particularly when working remotely without adequate supervision.

Pattern of Nonprofit Vulnerability

This case highlights a troubling trend affecting charitable organizations across the San Antonio region. Small nonprofits often lack the sophisticated oversight systems that larger corporations employ, making them particularly vulnerable to internal fraud. The United Way, which operates globally to mobilize community resources for social good, depends heavily on public trust and donor confidence.

Remote work arrangements, while offering flexibility, can create additional risks when proper controls aren't in place. The absence of daily face-to-face interaction and the lack of a treasurer on the board created an environment where questionable transactions could go unnoticed for months. This case serves as a cautionary tale for nonprofit boards about the importance of maintaining robust financial oversight, regardless of where staff members are located.

Implications for Charitable Giving

Cases like Hargrave's can have lasting effects on donor confidence and community trust in charitable organizations. When people donate to causes they care about, they expect their contributions to directly benefit those in need, not to fund personal shopping sprees or unauthorized salary increases. The alleged theft of $158,000 represents resources that could have supported numerous community programs and services.

For donors and nonprofit boards alike, this incident underscores the critical importance of transparency, regular audits, and proper financial controls. Organizations must balance operational efficiency with accountability, ensuring that even trusted, long-term employees operate within systems designed to prevent abuse. As charitable organizations increasingly adopt remote work policies, they must also adapt their oversight mechanisms to maintain the integrity that donors expect and communities deserve.