Florida says investigation into nonprofit executive pay is ânot a witch huntâ
A preliminary report released in January found that nine nonprofit organizations, all contracted by Florida, appeared to be spending millions compensating executives above the limits allowed by state law.
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Tiffany Carr, former executive director of Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence, left, speaks at a 2004 news conference held by Gov. Jeb Bush, background right. [ PHIL COALE | AP ]
Updated Feb. 12
TALLAHASSEE â Floridaâs top auditor told a House committee that the state probe into the compensation of executive salaries at social welfare organizations was not âany kind of witch huntâ but instead was an attempt at âbringing transparency to the processâ of state and federal funds used by privately-run entities.
State says investigation into nonprofit executive pay is not a witch hunt Mary Ellen Klas, The Miami Herald
Feb. 12 TALLAHASSEE Florida s top auditor told a House committee that the state probe into the compensation of executive salaries at social welfare organizations was not any kind of witch hunt but instead was an attempt at bringing transparency to the process of state and federal funds used by privately run entities. We are on a fact-finding mission, doing research so that the policymakers such as yourselves can decide what to do with the facts that we reveal, Melinda Miguel, the chief inspector general for Gov. Ron DeSantis, told the House Governmental Operations Subcommittee on Wednesday.
DCF Secretary Poppell resigns post, governor makes new appointments
Poppell s resignation comes several weeks after he admitted to USA Today his department had done a bad job at preventing child sex abuse.
Credit: AP
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, left, State Rep. Tom Leek, center, and Department of Children and Families Secretary Chad Poppell announce legal action against the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence on Wednesday March 4, 2020 in Tallahassee, Florida. (AP Photo/Brendan Farrington) Author: Claire Farrow Updated: 3:51 PM EST February 5, 2021
On Friday, Department of Children and Families Secretary Chad Poppell announced his resignation. And, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced both Poppell s replacement and a new appointment in the state s health care administration.
Updated Feb. 5
TALLAHASSEE â Gov. Ron DeSantisâ administration announced Friday that it is shaking up the leadership in agencies on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic. Top staffers responsible for fighting the virus, combating the negative social consequences of the pandemic and getting unemployment claims processed are all leaving their current roles.
⢠After two years at the helm of the Department of Children and Families, Chad Poppell is resigning effective Feb. 19, according to a letter he sent to DeSantis.
⢠Shevaun Harris, who is serving as acting secretary for the Agency for Health Care Administration since October, was tapped as Poppellâs replacement.
Florida nonprofit that paid CEO $574,000 pushes back on report
According to the governorâs Chief Inspector Genera, Citrus Health was one of nine agencies that appear to be paying their executives more than the amount allowed by state law.
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Mario Jardon, president and CEO of the Hialeah-based Citrus Health Network, made $574,660, which the state says includes $360,840 in excess compensation. The state says the agency also paid excessive compensation to two other executives at the community-based mental health center, for a total of $403,000 in excessive compensation. The company denies it. [ ROBERTO KOLTUN | El Nuevo Herald ]
Updated Jan. 27
TALLAHASSEE â The child welfare agency that serves Miami-Dade and Monroe counties pushed back Wednesday against allegations made by the governorâs chief inspector general, denying claims that it