A charity bigwig accused of stealing $34 million through California homeless services fraud looked terrified as he pleaded not guilty in Los Angeles court on Monday — before he ran scared from gathered media.
Alexander Soofer, 42 — who authorities said lived the high-life on the tab of Golden State taxpayers — appeared sheepishly before a judge then bolted as his lawyer tried to block him from news cameras.
The disgraced head of nonprofit Abundant Blessings was cut loose on free on a $610,000 bond, then blurted out a “no comment” when approached by a Post reporter as attorney Michael Freedman chimed in that, “they would have no further comment.”
Soofer, who appeared in a gray suit and white shirt, was in court on charges he siphoned millions in taxpayer cash meant to combat homelessness to fund a lavish lifestyle that included a $7 million Westwood mansion, a $125,000 Range Rover and a trip to the famous Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, featured in the first season of HBO’s hit “The White Lotus.”
He spoke only when the judge asked if Soofer understood the not guilty plea that his attorney entered on his behalf and when the judge ordered him to “obey all laws” and warned him not to leave the state.
“I understand, your honor” Soofer responded.
The alleged fraudster’s cellphone pinged frequently as he waited to go before the judge and several family members called out to him when he arrived around 9 a.m. At one point, he darted from the courtroom when he spotted a news photographer preparing to document the proceedings.
Soofer had already appeared in federal court on separate charges, which included claims he used the dough to pay for his kids’ private school tuition. His appearance Monday stemmed from 18 additional fraud charges filed by Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman.
Soofer faces up to 37 years behind bars on all the charges.