Pride Houston 365 was awarded a partial victory in a lawsuit against the organization’s former executive director and president, Lorin Roberts, after the court ordered her to pay about $1.2 million in damages to the organization she once led.
The court issued a partial judgment in December against Roberts for breach of fiduciary duty, embezzlement or theft, fraud and breach of contract, ordering her to pay $300,000 for actual damages, $900,000 for punitive damages and more than $7,000 for attorneys fees accrued by the organization for this case.
The nonprofit organization has historically organized many of the events and celebrations that aim to elevate, advance and celebrate Houston’s LGBTQ+ community.
The full case is still awaiting trial, which is slated to start on April 16, according to the latest court documents. But the organization announced the partial victory with a hopeful tone.
“This judgment is not a cause for celebration but an affirmation that our organization has been dedicated to truth, justice, accountability, and ethical conduct from the outset,” Pride Houston President Kendra Walker said in a written statement. “Our focus has always been on upholding the law and ensuring that Pride Houston operates with integrity.”
Pride Houston 365 officials and the attorneys representing both parties in this case did not return a request for comment.
Roberts, who led Pride Houston as president between 2017 and 2020, was sued by Pride Houston in 2021 and accused of stealing more than $100,000 from the organization and misappropriating more than $50,000. She is also accused of misleading the board and failing to disclose financial records, as well as contracts and agreements with vendors, clients and sponsors.
Roberts became the organization’s first executive director in 2020, a paid role that came with an annual salary of about $61,000 and health benefits. She was terminated in June 2021, amid what the lawsuit describes as a battle to have Roberts let go of her role as board president and turn over the reins of the organization to her successor.
Roberts refused to turn over property records, mail and access to bank accounts. After her firing, the lawsuit alleges she destroyed assets and property, such as drives and passwords to cloud storage and bank accounts, that could give them a better understanding of the extent of the financial damage.
“Because of her exclusive access to certain Pride Houston documents and property, the true extent of the damage caused by Defendant Roberts is currently unknown,” the lawsuit states. “The hiring of an expert will be required to reveal this information.”
The original petition also names two former treasurers, Jacob Siegel and Dustin Sheffield. The case against Siegel was eventually settled, but it’s unclear where the case against Sheffield stands.
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