A Florida judge is allowing a third of the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence Foundation’s assets to be used for victim services. A court-appointed receiver is overseeing the finances of the organization after questionable spending by its founder and CEO.
The move follows revelations that former coalition CEO Tiffany Carr made $7.5 million over three years. During that same time, the Miami Herald reports domestic violence victims were being denied services.
The coalition was responsible for disbursing state and federal funding to domestic violence centers around the state. Jacksonville lawyer Mark Healy has been appointed as the receiver.
“The receiver believes that this is honestly an exceptional result for both the coalition and the foundation,” said attorney James Timko, who represented Healy in court Thursday.
Leon County Circuit Judge Ronald Flury has signed an order allowing Healy to use a third of the foundation’s $1.5 million in assets for victim services. The rest of the money will go toward foundation operations as well as claims made by domestic violence shelters and the Florida Department of Children of Families.
Timko told the judge the order was heavily negotiated among attorneys for the state and the foundation.
“It allows for the financial stability of the coalition,” Timko said. “It puts the foundation to what we believe is its intended use and resolves the two motions without needing the depositions and the final evidentiary hearing that were scheduled; and that money can be utilized for other purposes.”
Attorney General Ashley Moody is suing Carr and the coalition following investigations into finances. The Florida Legislature also passed a bill removing the coalition as the sole source for doling out funds to domestic violence shelters. That job immediately went to the Department of Children and Families.
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