Attorney General Ashley Moody and Governor Ron DeSantis today announced a global settlement agreement requiring the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence and former FCADV CEO Tiffany Carr to repay the state and domestic violence centers millions of dollars. The settlement follows legal action taken by Attorney General Moody and by the Florida Department of Children and Families in March 2020 to preserve FCADV assets and recover misused state grant funds paid to Carr as excessive compensation. The agreement, which remains subject to court approval, resolves multiple pending civil actions but has no bearing on the ability of law enforcement to bring criminal charges associated with the misuse of taxpayer and charitable funds. Additionally, under the settlement agreement, all parties agree to a judicial dissolution of FCADV—establishing a process to liquidate and dissolve the organization.
Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “For several years, FCADV and Tiffany Carr concocted to pay herself an excessive compensation scheme, millions of dollars meant to benefit domestic violence victims. When uncovered, this scheme threatened to disrupt funding to domestic violence centers. I am pleased that through these actions, we succeeded in getting rid of the bad management, dismantling the organization, implementing a new system to serve victims of domestic violence and recouping millions of misappropriated funds.
“Nonprofit officers and directors who administer taxpayer funds take note: you have a heightened responsibility to use that money prudently. Today is a positive step towards restoring faith in the system and returning funds to the rightful recipients—ensuring domestic violence survivors receive the services and help they need to heal in a safe and secure environment.”
Governor Ron DeSantis said, “Today’s settlement is a win in our fight to recover money that was intended to help families rebuild after facing domestic violence. This organization acted in greed, abusing state dollars meant to serve families during their most vulnerable times. I am thankful this injustice was righted today with the return of this money.”
DCF Secretary Shevaun Harris said, “Florida taxpayers deserve full accountability and transparency. The FCADV was deceptive with state funds, and I thank Governor DeSantis and the Florida Legislature for the justice served today. We will continue working to ensure survivors receive the care and support they need while remaining transparent with the Legislature and taxpayers.”
Following a series of news reports and a Florida House investigation that uncovered millions of dollars in grossly excessive compensation paid to Carr, Attorney General Moody took legal action against FCADV and Carr for the misappropriation of public funds and private donations. In response to Attorney General Moody’s motion, the court appointed a receiver over FCADV and its foundation to control their assets and property. DCF and the court-appointed receiver also filed actions against FCADV’s officers and directors. The settlement resolves five pending lawsuits brought by the Florida Attorney General’s Office, DCF, the court appointed receiver, Mark Healy, and Hanover, one of FCADV insurers.
Through the settlement, former 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. Per the settlement agreement, former FCADV officers Patricia Duarte and Sandra Barnett will pay a total of $60,000. FCADV insurers will pay the remaining funds from the $3.9 million payment, totaling more than $1.7 million. Additionally, more than $1 million currently in accounts of FCADV’s foundation will go directly to domestic violence centers across the state.
The dissolution of FCADV will include a claims process for creditors, overseen by the receiver and court. The process will establish a claims priority, giving DCF priority as a creditor with an allowed claim of more than $2.8 million. There is a possibility of additional recovery by DCF through the liquidation of FCADV’s assets and the sale of property and will be applied to the judgment balance.
Additionally, FCADV will stipulate to a judgment for more than $6 million, with the $3.9 million settlement funds to be applied to the judgment balance.
Under the settlement agreement, eight non-party state agencies agreed to provide releases to the directors and officers to facilitate the agreement. In addition to the Florida Office of the Attorney General and DCF, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Florida Department of Education, Florida Department of Elder Affairs, Florida Department of Emergency Management, Florida Department of Financial Services, Florida Department of Health and Florida Department of Revenue each provided releases.
Following Tropical Storm Henri, Connecticut State Officials Warn Consumers and Families to be Wary of Clean Up and Disaster Relief Scams
n the aftermath of Tropical Storm Henri, Attorney General William Tong and Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection Commissioner Michelle Seagull are warning consumers and families to be aware of disaster relief and clean up scams.
Tropical Storm Henri brough strong winds and heavy rain to Connecticut that knocked out power and damaged homes and personal property. Storm damage often requires consumers and business owners to make expensive repairs quickly – making them vulnerable to scam artists.
After past significant storms and weather events, Connecticut residents have reported individuals, some claiming to work for utility companies, going door to door offering to reconnect electric power, repair roofs, remove trees or do other work in exchange for cash. The utility companies, and their authorized contractors, always carry identification and none will ask for payments from consumers. Be wary of any other contractor who is either going door to door, or who contacts you offering a service during this time. Consumers should make sure any contractors they work with are licensed and insured and by law all home improvement projects must have a contract.
“Some of us may be dealing with downed trees, power outages or damaged property in the wake of Tropical Storm Henri and it can be very tempting to take someone’s offer to fix the problem quickly,” Attorney General Tong said. “When these extreme weather events hit, bad actors see an opportunity to prey on people who are suffering and desperate for solutions and will offer fraudulent home repair services, jobs or pose as charities collecting money for victims. Always verify the legitimacy of a contractor or business offering to do work for you and don’t fall victim to their tactics — if it sounds too good to be true, it’s probably a scam.”
“Particularly when it comes to clean-up and repair issues after a big storm, we remind and encourage consumers to do their research prior to hiring someone for a job,” said DCP Commissioner Michelle H. Seagull. “Avoid doing business with someone who requires that you pay in cash, by wire transfer, or in any form of untraceable payment; refuses to offer you a contract in writing, which is required by law in Connecticut; offers you an incredibly low cost for work that needs to be completed, under the condition that you commit immediately; knocks on your door or otherwise solicits business specifically from you instead of you going to them; and will not provide references or proof of their credentials. Finally, you should always check elicense.ct.gov to verify a contractor’s credentials before hiring them for repair work on your home.”
Here are the most common weather and disaster related scams:
- Clean-up and repair scams: Scammers often offer clean-up or repair services at a low price, and without a contract. By law, home improvement projects must have a contract. Consumers should research potential contractors before making a decision, ask for credential information, identification, proof of insurance, and make sure there is a written signed contract detailing the work that will be done. You can verify credentials by visiting http://www.elicense.ct.gov.
- Charity scams: In the aftermath of large natural disasters you may want to donate money to support the recovery process. Scammers take advantage good intentions by creating fake charities and advertising them to potential donors. Always research a charity before giving by visiting sites like www.CharityNavigator.org, www.GuideStar.org, or www.give.org, and ask questions about how your donation will be used. If someone uses high-pressure tactics to convince you to give, it’s probably a scam. Any charity soliciting in the State of Connecticut must be registered with DCP.
- Job scams: Natural disasters sometimes cause unemployment, creating an opportunity for job scams. These scammers can be very convincing and often advertise on legitimate platforms. Remember that you should never have to pay to apply for a job, or to start a job – and if a job posting guarantees employment, you should be suspicious.
- Used car scams: During hurricanes and severe storms, vehicles can be destroyed or have severe water damage. Scammers may try to cover up this damage and sell these cars out of state. Be wary of buying used cars after natural disasters, and always do a thorough inspection and ask for the cars history.
To report a scam or instance of fraud, contact the Office of the Attorney General at 860-808-5318 or file a complaint with the office at https://www.dir.ct.gov/ag/complaint/. Or visit www.ct.gov/DCP/complaint or the Better Business Bureau’s Scamtracker at www.bbb.org/scamtracker.
Carr Announces Indictment of 14 Defendants in Cherokee on Charges of Human Trafficking, Racketeering, Gang Activity, Charity Fraud, and Money Laundering
Attorney General Chris Carr today announced the indictment of 14 defendants on 15 charges of Human Trafficking, Racketeering, Criminal Street Gang Activity, Charity Fraud, and Money Laundering.
“We will charge gang members who try to exploit our children in order to further their criminal enterprise,” said Attorney General Chris Carr. “We will not tolerate it, and we look forward to presenting our case in court.”
The Office of the Attorney General is alleging that the defendants in this case operated a labor-intensive human trafficking ring under the guise of a fraudulent charity known as Georgia Peach Youth Club of America Inc. in order to fund criminal street gang activity. The alleged criminal enterprise connected with these crimes is the Nine Trey Bloods – a subset of the United Blood Nation which is a well-known criminal street gang out of Los Angeles.
Attorney General Carr’s Prosecution Division presented evidence to a Cherokee County grand jury, resulting in the indictment of fourteen Defendants* on Monday, August 9, 2021. Specifically, the indictment charges the defendants with the following which, if convicted, can carry the respective penalties:
- JAMAINNE CHARLES HALL – Racketeering, 4 Counts of Human Trafficking, 4 counts of Violation of Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act, 5 Counts of Money Laundering, 1 Count of Charity Fraud – 186 years
- MIGUEL J. BAEZ, – Racketeering, 4 Counts of Human Trafficking, 4 counts of Violation of Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act, 5 Counts of Money Laundering, 1 Count of Charity Fraud – 186 years
- JULE W. HUSTON, – Racketeering, 4 Counts of Human Trafficking, 5 Counts of Money Laundering, 1 Count of Charity Fraud – 126 years
- RONALD JOHN CROWE, – Racketeering, 4 Counts of Human Trafficking, 5 Counts of Money Laundering, 1 Count of Charity Fraud – 126 years
- ROBERT PETER BLACKWOOD, – Racketeering, 4 Counts of Human Trafficking, 4 counts of Violation of Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act, 1 Count of Charity Fraud – 161 years
- ROMAINE MATTHEW ROBERTS, – Racketeering, 4 Counts of Human Trafficking, 1 Count of Charity Fraud – 101 years
- KAVON KEITH THOMPSON, – Racketeering, 4 Counts of Human Trafficking, 1 Count of Charity Fraud – 101 years
- KIYA A. JEFFERSON, – Racketeering, 4 Counts of Human Trafficking, 1 Count of Charity Fraud – 101 years
- DOMINIQUE PROVOST, – Racketeering, 4 Counts of Human Trafficking, 1 Count of Charity Fraud – 101 years
- KIVA VIOLA CLARKE, – Racketeering, 4 Counts of Human Trafficking, 1 Count of Charity Fraud – 101 years
- ISAIAH RUBEN CORDERO, – Racketeering, 4 Counts of Human Trafficking, 1 Count of Charity Fraud – 101 years
- NATHAN JAMES JACKSON, – Racketeering, 4 Counts of Human Trafficking, 1 Count of Charity Fraud – 101 years
- RAHEEM ICARUS POPLEY CARVEY, – Racketeering, 4 Counts of Human Trafficking, 1 Count of Charity Fraud – 101 years
- AARON YUSEF ABDULLAH, – Racketeering, 4 Counts of Human Trafficking, 1 Count of Charity Fraud – 101 years
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) is the lead investigative agency on this case. The Georgia Secretary of State’s Office – through the Charities Division – made the initial referral and assisted in this investigation.
“Top priorities for the GBI are to conduct criminal street gang, human trafficking, and crimes against children investigations,” said Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Vic Reynolds. “This case is an example of our commitment to working with the Georgia Attorney General’s Office to conduct cases that lead to successful prosecutions.”
The indictment is attached, and no further information about the investigation or about the defendant’s alleged crimes other than that stated in the indictment may be released at this time.
Grand Jury indicts Boys and Girls Clubs of Myrtle Beach former director for embezzling more than $100,000
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced that an Horry County Grand Jury has indicted Dione Eban Buonto, the former Executive Director of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Myrtle Beach, for allegedly embezzling more than $100,000 from the organization. She’s charged with six counts of Breach of Trust with Fraudulent Intent.
The indictments allege that Buonto used money from the Boys and Girls Clubs to pay for personal items, including hair and beauty products, home décor, moving expenses, tuition and books for her son, and personal travel including airfare, lodging, car rentals, and meals for herself, her daughter, her son, a male acquaintance and his mother. She also allegedly issued bonus checks to herself without Board approval. The alleged embezzlement occurred between December 2014 and January 2020.
She was indicted on three counts of Breach of Trust with Fraudulent Intent in excess of $10,000, a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine at the discretion of the court. She was also indicted on three counts of Breach of Trust with Fraudulent Intent in excess of $2,000, which is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine at the discretion of the court.
The case was investigated by the State Law Enforcement Division with the help of the Myrtle Beach Police Department. It will be be prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office.
Attorney General Wilson stresses that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are convicted in a court of law.
Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge filed a lawsuit today against Kristy and Erik Schneider, misrepresented that their minor child was deathly ill in order to receive charitable donations.
Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge filed a lawsuit today against Kristy and Erik Schneider, from Saline County, who wrongfully misrepresented that their minor child was deathly ill resulting in the Schneiders receiving over $31,000 in charitable contributions and assistance from Arkansas consumers, organizations, and law enforcement agencies. The Schneiders falsified their child’s health condition to medical providers and lied to the general public in order to provoke an outpouring of well wishes, which often resulted in donations. The complaint alleges the Schneiders’ actions violated the Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices Act (ADTPA).
“It is inconceivable that parents would endanger their innocent child’s health for their own profit and no child should ever be treated in this manner,” said Attorney General Rutledge. “The Schneiders conned so many who gave thousands of dollars in honor of their ill child. There is nothing more reprehensible than taking advantage of the goodwill and generosity of your neighbors.”
In February 2019, Kristy started posting updates to CaringBridge.org about the health of her ill child. She claimed the child had a rare chromosomal disorder and was dependent on feeding tubes and about 15 different medications to keep the minor alive. She told her followers the child began to see a number of specialists including neurosurgeons, neurologists, geneticists, complex care physicians, and more. She wrote, “After seeing multiple specialists, trying everything possible, and consulting with doctors in multiple other states/facilities, it was determined that the recommended course of action was to come home on hospice care.”
The Schneiders decided the child’s feeding tubes would be withdrawn to cause the minor to die a “natural death.” By this time, their story had a following in the public eye from law enforcement, concerned citizens, local news reports and others. When the child returned to Arkansas Children’s for end-of-life care, the minor was accompanied by hundreds of law enforcement officers and first responders to fulfill his final wish to see as many first responders as possible before his death. This event was widely publicized and involved resources paid for by taxpayers in the form of hundreds of law enforcement officers from central Arkansas.
After the child arrived at Arkansas Children’s for end-of-life care, the minor made an unexpected recovery. Doctors removed the feeding tube and gave the child nutrition, including liquids and popsicles, for a week and a half. Doctors reported the patient appeared to look better than the minor had in months. Despite the positive development, the Schneiders forced doctors to put the child back on a feeding tube.
Even the Mayo Clinic later refused to grant Kristy’s request to return the child to hospice care. There, and at Arkansas Children’s, Kristy continued to exaggerate the child’s symptoms. Soon thereafter, doctors reported the child was a victim of Munchausen by Proxy.
As the child seemed to be battling for his life and doctors around the country struggled to understand the nature of his medical condition, the kindness of people and law enforcement across Arkansas and the world was on full display; thousands of dollars in donations and resources poured in from throughout the United States and even foreign countries. Between gifts, meals, cash contributions, and medical transportation, the Schneiders received $31,895 in donations from consumers motivated by nothing more than goodwill and kindness. In Arkansas, each violation of the Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices Act could result in injunctions and civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation.
For more tips to help avoid falling victim to bad actors, or to file a consumer-related claim with the Arkansas Attorney General’s Office, call (800) 482-8982, email consumer@arkansasag.gov or visit ArkansasAG.gov.