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.
Wednesday, January 27, 2021 by Lynn Hatter (WFSU )
Photo: Nandhu Kumar
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Of the 800 private firms contracted with the state, 12 are giving out salaries in excess of state and federal law. Nine of those are contracted with the Florida Department of Children and Families.
A state probe into pay issues at partner agencies began last year after investigations found the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence paid its leader more than $7.5 million over three years. House Ethics Chairwoman Erin Grall believes some private affiliates may still be hiding their compensation reports.
I never had a good experience with a caseworker. Never.
The system is built on lies, said Jaquetta Johnson, an attorney who represents biological parents in the Panhandle. “When they realize it’s OK (to lie), that’s when the level of services start to get dropped because now they know they can get away with it.”
Former investigations supervisor Beverlie Hyacinthe signed paperwork falsely claiming that investigators had assessed the safety of all the kids in a home after receiving a hotline call when they hadn’t. As a result, a third child was left in the home and was abused over the next 10 days until DCF received a second hotline call.
Citizens Commission on Human Rights
Diane Stein, center, and members of her organization Citizens Commission on Human Rights, have been working for years to advocate for parents and help them navigate issues involving the Baker Act.
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