NewsVoice of San DiegoOctober 22, 2026San Diego County
District Attorney Charges Husband of Former County Contractor Executive with Over a Dozen Felonies
Photo: Voice of San Diego
Jeff Knox, husband of former Harm Reduction Coalition COO Amy Knox, pleaded not guilty Thursday to 15 felony counts including theft, embezzlement, mortgage fraud, and tax evasion. Prosecutors allege he embezzled funds from the former county contractor, stole vacation packages, and obtained a fraudulent loan for the couple's home. Superior Court Judge Laura Duffy ordered him not to discuss the case with his wife and barred him from handling others' finances.
Read the full story at Voice of San DiegoWhy It Matters
The criminal case directly involves a former vendor contracted by San Diego County to distribute opioid overdose reversal drugs and test for fentanyl, highlighting oversight issues in public contracting.
Key Facts
- Jeff Knox pleaded not guilty Thursday to 15 felony counts including theft, embezzlement, receiving stolen property, mortgage fraud, and filing fraudulent tax returns.
- The charges against Jeff Knox include stealing vacation packages, tax evasion, and obtaining an allegedly fraudulent loan for the couple's Alpine home.
- Superior Court Judge Laura Duffy ordered Jeff Knox not to speak with his co-defendant and wife, Amy Knox, about the criminal case and barred him from working with others' finances.
- If convicted on all charges, Jeff Knox faces nearly 13 years in prison.
- Amy Knox previously served prison time for embezzlement, which county officials were aware of before awarding the nonprofit its second contract in 2024.
- The Harm Reduction Coalition held two county contracts to deploy opioid overdose reversal drugs and test drugs for fentanyl until June 2025.
- Defense attorney Gary Gibson stated that the charges against Jeff Knox are thin and intended to pressure a resolution in Amy Knox's case, while global negotiations are ongoing.
Who's Mentioned
PersonJeff Knox“Husband of Amy Knox, facing felony charges”PersonAmy Knox“Former COO of Harm Reduction Coalition of San Diego facing criminal accusations”PersonTanya Sierra“District Attorney's Office spokesperson”PersonGary Gibson“Attorney representing Amy Knox”locationAlpine“Location of the couple's home tied to an allegedly fraudulent loan”locationSan Diego County“Local government that contracted with the nonprofit”PersonLisa Halverstadt“Senior investigative reporter authoring the article”PersonSummer Stephan“District Attorney”OrganizationHarm Reduction Coalition of San Diego“Former county contractor that deployed opioid reversal drugs”PersonLaura Duffy“Superior Court Judge presiding over the arraignment”