TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (CBS12) — Two former executives of the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence (FCADV) are charged with embezzling over $3 million from the nonprofit.
The former CEO, Tiffany Carr, 54, from Port St. Joe, surrendered to authorities on Monday at the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office in North Carolina. On September 20, an active arrest warrant had been issued for her on charges of organized fraud, grand theft, and official misconduct, according to a press release.
But she was not acting alone.
The investigation found that Chief Financial Officer Patricia Duarte was also involved in the scheme to misappropriate funds donated through grants intended for the 42 domestic violence shelters in Florida.
Duarte turned herself in on September 20.
“These individuals were entrusted with the responsibility of managing an organization that provides assistance to those seeking refuge from abuse,” Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody stated.
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Together, Carr and Duarte stole $3.4 million and $291,000 respectively.
In addition, they submitted false quarterly reports, charged for services never rendered, and billed the state for vacant positions.
“Carr and her accomplice’s actions are truly reprehensible and it is time for them to be held accountable,” declared Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement launched an investigation into the matter in 2021, during which Commissioner Mark Glass discovered that the two women were focused on enriching themselves.
“Unfortunately, their selfish motives came at the expense of victims of domestic violence who relied on the services of their organization,” Glass added.
The investigation began two years ago, after the Florida Office of the Chief Inspector General, Department of Children and Families, and the Florida House Public Integrity and Ethics Committee provided leads to FDLE.
The case will be prosecuted by the Florida Attorney General’s Office.
In 2012, FCADV was designated as the official organization responsible for distributing state and federal grants to shelters across Florida. The state terminated the contract in 2020.
In 2021, Governor Ron DeSantis issued an Executive Order dissolving the organization.
