Contra Costa Tourism VP Suspected In Felony Theft, Kickback Case

CONTRA COSTA, CA — A former tourism executive suspected of overcharging invoices and taking kickbacks was arrested in a scheme that cost the district approximately $55,000, police said.

The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office charged Sibongile Viola Ncube with two felonies July 24 following a year-long investigation by Pleasant Hill police.

Ncube previously served as the Tourism Improvement District’s vice president of sales and marketing, according to Pleasant Hill police.

The investigation began in July 2025 after the City of Pleasant Hill received a report from a contracted company about possible fraud involving Ncube, police said.

Investigators suspect Ncube of overcharging invoices and bills paid by the Tourism Improvement District and receiving kickbacks between September 2022 and July 2025.

Police said the activity siphoned off about $55,000 that the tourism district should have received, according to authorities.

Pleasant Hill police sought assistance from the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office, which conducted a forensic review of bank statements and other financial records.

Following that review, prosecutors charged Ncube with commercial bribery and grand theft embezzlement

Ncube is scheduled to be arraigned in August.