OKLAHOMA CITY -
Seventeen years after the Oklahoma City bombing,
victims say a charity set up to help them refuses to release much of the
donated funds. Now they are asking Gov. Fallin to step in.
After the bombing, millions of dollars was donated to
help the victims. About $14 million dollars of that money went into a
fund called the "Oklahoma City Disaster Relief Fund".
On April 19, 1995 P.J. Allen was in daycare at the
Murrah Federal Building. He was the youngest survivor of the bombing, but
suffered severe burns to the inside of lungs. That has led to medical
problems throughout his life.
His grandmother says numerous times she has gone to
the fund for financial help, but has been repeatedly denied, most recently when
it came time to have his tracheotomy removed.
"They refused, they refused to pay and they paid no
money toward the trach coming out," Deloris Watson said. "That was a
direct result from the bombing."
That's despite the fact that the fund still has $10
million dollars in it.
"That, combined with stories throughout the years of
denied access and really rude treatment, I was outraged," said Holly Sweet, a
donor and friend of Watson.
11/4/2012
Related Story: Oklahoma City Bombing Victims Seek Funds
So Watson, Sweet and several other victims drafted a
letter to Gov. Fallin asking the fund be closed and distributed to the victims.
"We expected those funds to go immediately to victims
to relieve their suffering. I just can't get my mind around the fact that those
funds never made it to victims," said Sweet.
The fund's website says to date $11 million has been
doled out and because of good investing $10 million still remains.
A spokesperson for the fund refused to go on camera,
but issued a statement announcing plans of an independent audit.
"The Oklahoma City Community Foundation has been a national model for fund
management for more than 40 years," says Steve Mason, immediate past
chairman and current Trustee of the Oklahoma City Community Foundation.
"We welcome the opportunity to shed light on any questions or concerns the
public may have about the Disaster Relief Fund."
It's a move victims say is at least a good start in getting answers they've
wanted for years.
"I'm happy we've got their attention," said Sweet.
The Governor says since the OKC Community Foundation
is a private entity, she had no control over it. But she applauds the call
for an audit.
"I applaud the
Oklahoma City Community Foundation for taking proactive steps to ensure the
money raised to assist survivors of the Murrah Bombing is being spent and used
appropriately," said Fallin in a statement. "Over the years, I have
worked with Gov. Keating and others to help survivors and to raise funds
providing assistance for the medical and educational needs of families affected
by the bombing. Like all Oklahomans, I want to guarantee these individuals are
receiving proper assistance through the Murrah Disaster Relief Fund."
The following is
the statement released by the Oklahoma City Community Foundation:
November
8, 2012 - In a joint statement
released today, former Oklahoma Governor Frank Keating, former Oklahoma City
Mayor Ron Norick and the Oklahoma City Community Foundation announced plans to
have an independent audit of the Murrah Disaster Relief Fund and report its
findings to the public.
Keating and Norick were both in office in 1995 when the Murrah bombing
occurred. The Disaster Relief Fund was established in 1995 as a result of an
outpouring of financial support from across the country.
"Over the past 17 years the Oklahoma City Community Foundation has
remained one of the primary resources for providing ongoing assistance with the
medical and educational needs of victims and their families," said
Keating. "It is imperative that we assure the public that their
donations have been managed and disbursed properly."
"Preserving public confidence and trust is critical to making sure that we
have fulfilled our duty to take care of the Murrah bombing victims and their
families," said Norick. "We never could have anticipated the ongoing
needs that have emerged from that tragedy, and we are fortunate that, through
the planning and sound management of the Fund, these unmet needs can be
met."
"The Oklahoma City Community Foundation has been a national model for fund
management for more than 40 years," says Steve Mason, immediate past
chairman and current Trustee of the Oklahoma City Community Foundation.
"We welcome the opportunity to shed light on any questions or concerns the
public may have about the Disaster Relief Fund."
The Oklahoma City Community Foundation will engage an independent auditor in
Oklahoma City to conduct the audit with the consultation of Governor Keating
and Mayor Norick.
On April 19, 1995 P.J. Allen was in daycare at the Murrah Federal Building. He was the youngest survivor of the bombing, but suffered severe burns to the inside of lungs. That has led to medical problems throughout his life.
