JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — (The video above is from a previous story)
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced Thursday that the Department of Children and Families (DCF) and the Office of Attorney General settled pending civil actions with the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Inc. (FCADV), its officers and directors, and the FCADV foundation for more than $5 million.
In early 2020, DeSantis ordered an investigation into the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence after reports indicated the officers of the non-profit were receiving exorbitant compensation and the Coalition failed to provide accurate financial records to the Department of Children and Families.
The Florida Legislature then passed House Bill 1087 to remove FCADV from statute and to allow DCF to directly contract with providers to administer life-saving domestic violence services. Governor DeSantis signed the bill on February 27, 2020, and the organization's sole-source contract was immediately terminated.
DCF filed a lawsuit against FCADV, its CEO Tiffany Carr, CFO Patricia Duarte, COO Sandra Barnett, and its board members, alleging breach of contract, breach of the implied duty of good faith, breach of fiduciary duty, fraudulent concealment, civil conspiracy, and fraudulent misrepresentation. In connection with the settlement, the FCADV officers and directors will pay more than $3.9 million to DCF and the receiver, including a more than $2 million payment by Carr.
The FCADV foundation is required to liquidate all remaining assets and pay $1.1 million to domestic violence centers around the state.
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