By Paul Waldmiller
Did you know the former president and CEO of the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence, pleaded no contest to two felony charges?
Tiffany Carr, former CEO of the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence was charged with organized fraud and official misconduct. She appeared via Zoom from a hospital bed during the hearing and agreed to testify against her co-defendant, former CFO Patricia Duarte, whose trial is scheduled for January 20.
Under the plea deal, Carr is expected to receive only 10 years’ probation and pay approximately $260,000 in case-related costs, avoiding any jail time. The grand-theft charge against her was dropped. Leon County Circuit Judge Stephen Everett accepted the agreement, noting Carr’s lack of criminal history and her cooperation.
The charges stemmed from allegations that Carr and Duarte billed our state for services never rendered, including vacant positions, and used grant funds as well for excessive bonuses and leave payouts equaling $3.4 million to herself and another $291,000 to Duarte. This followed a 2021 civil settlement where Carr repaid $2.1 million and the nonprofit was dissolved.
Carr’s attorney, Christopher Kise, stated the state has been made whole financially. However, some critics, including domestic violence advocates, argue the plea is too lenient, saying the scandal damaged public trust and may have deprived victims of critical services.
Federal, Violence Against Women Act tax funds given to states are themselves often abused because of fraudulent accusations of abuse including from illegal immigrants seeking U-visas, as well as judges awarding protective orders to accusers of domestic violence without evidence or proof so to embezzle those same federal funds.