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Tuesday, April 16, 2024 | Back issues
Courthouse News Service Courthouse News Service

Audit Demanded of Orlando Shooting Fund

(CN) - A survivor of the Orlando Pulse nightclub shooting called for an audit of funds intended for victims, even as disbursements of those funds began Tuesday.

Jillian Amador filed a motion to enjoin OneOrlando Fund and its administrator, Kenneth Feinberg from distributing money donated for the victims until an audit of the funds can be done.

Orange County Judge John Jordan tossed her motion on Monday citing an improper serving process.

Amador re-filed the request to audit the estimated $29.5 million fund Tuesday, but Judge Jordan put off a decision on her request until next month.

OneOrlando plans to distribute $350,000 to the families of those killed by gunman Omar Mateen during his attack on the gay nightclub on June 12. Mateen killed 49 and injured 54 others, before being gunned down by police.

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer set up the OneOrlando Fund to consolidate the outpouring of money for victims of the attack.

After each of the families of murdered victims receives a payment, the rest of the money will be distributed to those who were wounded, based on a sliding scale pinned to how long they spent in the hospital.

There are 299 claimants in all, among them Amador, who was trampled and injured by glass while running away from the attack.

"Should funds be distributed prior to a full and independent audit, any claim for misappropriation would be extinguished before it could be found," her motion states.

In her court filing, Amador called into question the fund's administrator, who has worked on similar funds in the past, including those related to the BP oil spill and the 9/11 terrorist attack.

In the complaint, Amador also points to $5,000 paid to credit card companies toward processing fees.

According to OneOrlando's website, 100 percent of funds received by the nonprofit will be disbursed on a rolling basis without any going to overhead costs. An independent audit will begin after October 15.

Amador is represented by Paul Zeniewicz of the Maitland-based firm Cohen Grossman. He could not be reached for comment Tuesday afternoon.

In a statement, the One Orlando board said, "With as transparent and accountable as our board has been in regard to the One Orlando Fund, it is disturbing someone would prevent the victims of this horrific and hateful tragedy to receive the funds they so desperately need.

"Ken Feinberg and the One Orlando board have acted in the most equitable and expeditious manner possible in order to get these gifts of funds into the hands of the victims and their families of which they significantly need. These are funds have been generously donated to serve the victims and their families and any action counter to that is unfathomable," the statement said.

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