Two Florida Nonprofit Executives Charged With Grand Theft, Fraud

According to a report from ABC 7 Southwest Florida, two Florida nonprofit executives—Tiffany Carr 54 and Patricia Duarte—are facing serious criminal charges for allegedly defrauding their organization, the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence (FCADV). Here, our Orlando white collar criminal defense attorney provides a more detailed overview of the allegations and the charges filed in this case.

Allegations: Nonprofit Executives Defrauded their Organization 

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) has charged Tiffany Carr and Patricia Duarte—both former executives at the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence (FCADV)—with fraud. The FDLE and Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody initiated an investigation into the nonprofit organization in 2020. Florida authorities allege that Ms. Carr and Ms. Duarte carried out a scheme to improperly defraud the nonprofit organization out of more than $3.5 million. The two former executives are facing several felony white collar criminal charges, including organized scheme to defraud, grand theft, and official misconduct. 

An Overview of the White Collar Criminal Charges 

White collar criminal charges are non-violent, financially motivated offenses. In many cases, they are committed by people who have been placed in a position of trust. Here is an overview of the three different charges filed against the former FCDAV executives:

• Organized Scheme to Defraud: Florida law considers an organized scheme to defraud as a situation where a person knowingly and purposefully engages in a systematic scheme that is carried out with the intent to defraud one or more other parties. In Florida, an organized scheme to defraud offense is a felony. A conviction can carry very serious consequences, including significant jail time. If you or your loved one was charged with an organized scheme to defraud offense, contact an experienced Florida white collar criminal defense lawyer for immediate help.
• Grand Theft: Grand theft in Florida encompasses various degrees, dependent on the value and type of property stolen. The act involves knowingly obtaining or using, or endeavoring to obtain or use, someone else’s property with the intent to, either temporarily or permanently, deprive the other party of their property. In Florida, an offense can be classified as grand theft if the value of the amount stolen is $750 or greater.
• Official Misconduct: In Florida, official misconduct is a third degree felony criminal offense. The crime can be charged against a public official or an executive of a private business or organization that was operating under a public contract. Notably, the FCDAV had a contract for services with the State of Florida. As such, the executives can face a felony criminal charge of official misconduct based on allegations that public funds were misappropriated. 

Get Help From Our Florida White Collar Criminal Defense Lawyer Today

At The Baez Law Firm, our Florida white collar criminal defense attorney fights tirelessly to protect the rights and interests of clients. If you or your loved one was arrested and charged with any type of white collar criminal offense, please do not hesitate to contact us today for your confidential case evaluation. With offices in Orlando and Miami, we serve communities throughout all of Florida.

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