I would say a deputy director (making 200-300k a year, so not “priced out”) embezzling funds to furnish his personal accommodations is part of the problematic c

I would say a deputy director (making 200-300k a year, so not “priced out”) embezzling funds to furnish his personal accommodations is part of the problematic culture that leads to the kind of crap you described. People simply embezzle funds at all levels, much of it completely legal.