STATUS OF PALISTRONG:
In response to daily running a new nonprofit that was given money from FireAid, some of which are not even located in either Altadena or Pacific Palisades, I’ve received two responses:
Thank you for your ongoing investigation into where the FIRE AID CONCERT money went.
Would just one (1) member of the Pacific Palisades Community Council, Pali Strong, Rick Caruso (who was the president of the FireAid Concert Board), the Pacific Palisades Residents Association, and the Palisades Long Term Recovery Group have the courage to step up and ask why one (1) Palisadian involved in all the groups mentioned, Larry Vein, received $500.000? How much of that went to salaries (his), wages and his executive compensation? And for what purposes?
It’s called FRAUD and COMPLICITY.
John Alle
GET OVER IT, SUE:
A second reader wrote: “Why do you persist in criticizing and misrepresenting the non-profits that received Fire Aid money? Public counsel is one of the pre-eminent legal services organizations in the city. This is copied from Public Counsel’s website:
“This web page serves as a central hub for Public Counsel’s fire relief and recovery efforts for Los Angeles County. Through free legal services and wildfire-related resources, we are here to help individuals, families, small businesses, and communities impacted or displaced by the fires.”
(Editor’s note: Many of the nonprofits put up a Fireaid page after receiving money—but it was not part of their stated mission. PublicCouncil lists their mission as “we work with communities and clients to create a more just society through legal services, advocacy and civil rights litigation.)
The reader continued, “I get it that you’re bitter about losing your home. I lost mine too after 40 years, but that’s no excuse for your rants about various non-profits.”
CTN replied to the reader:
“First I’m sorry you lost your home. And I’m also sorry if you think my comments are about me. . .The FireAid money was meant for victims (including Altadena) to help them rebuild, not to support salaries of nonprofit executives. I’m sorry if you don’t think the people in Tahitian Terrace or Palisades Bowl, who have nothing, including no land to sell, don’t deserve something. And nonprofits do not pay taxes. . . .”
Keep up the Fireaid (funny calling it ‘aid’ to whom) expose’! So many of us have been wondering about ‘where’s the aid’ and why didn’t the people who really needed the aid see any of it!! Hmmmm?!
I thank you for asking the questions and seeking the truth!!
I do feel that the ongoing focus on Fire Aid is excessive. If the amount raised were divided by the number of people each would get maybe $6-7,000 – not enough to commit to rebuilding. The non profits were professionally vetted and attracting good leaders requires a competitive salary. The nonprofits who were awarded money are quality organizations who will use it well. I’m afraid this negative focus will cause philanthropists to hesitate donating in the future and believe the team distributing money did what they thought would help the most people- and may never want to get involved again in donating their time, energy, or resources after this negative and relentless campaign. This is off the record please.
I have been amazed, appalled, & astounded at where all the Fireaid money went. It could have helped so many, and done so much to get the beautiful Pacific Palisades back on its feet. It has made me sick to see all the greed and corruption at the expense of so many who lost everything. I have and will continue to appreciate your reporting on the matter.
To the ‘Second Reader, “Get over it”… So many of us lost our homes and everything attached to our decades of life, just as you did. I am sorry for your loss. But… IMHO, Sue Pascoe is one of the most efficient and dedicated-to-truth reporters I’ve had the fortune to meet. I do not always agree with her opinions, but, I have never found her research to be flawed or personally biased in any way. In this case, million$$$s were raised for a specific cause. Period. Unfortunately, the diversion of funds to various and sundry pet causes of other persons (both valid and vulture groups) might be considered a form of theft. And, the intended recipients were damaged in their most awful time of need. How much farther into ReBuild could and would the intended recipients have been if the funds had been disbursed as they were meant to be? Donors rightly expected their gifts to bring a rapid improvement in the lives of people who lost everything, not to pay salaries of other groups. They should be ashamed to have done so at the expense of people who were now homeless. To me, if the other groups/persons needed funding, go out and get your own. Further, if this is charity, why are over 35% going to payroll? That’s not charity, that’s a lucrative job! Ms. Pascoe did incredible research to discover the information and her information proved to be accurate, as usual. And, she didn’t rip off the charities for a salary… That, alone, should tell you all you need to know.
Thank you for advocating for the mobile home parks. Most of us are close to running out of ALE money and have no clear path to rebuilding. If any nonprofits who received the money reach out to you to distribute funds please refer them to me for discussions and I’ll help get them to the neediest people.
The Fire has impacted all of us in traumatic ways and many of us are barely getting a footing as to where we stand. For those who are currently healing from their fire trauma through anger and justice, it is understandable that the many questions unanswered will be triggers to focus on. Some of the questions will get answered in due course but the ones that pain us the most will only get answered with time, healing and a lot of compassion for ourselves and our loves ones. As far as Fireaid, their non-profit recipients, our public officials and all that give of themselves daily to see that our community recovers and heals, there is a justice system to protect them and hold accountable those that act out of bad faith. May we be blessed with Grace, transparency, accountability and a recovery that sees everyone home who wishes to come back to the community. There is a long road ahead of us. Working together is the only way through. Jessica Rogers, Pacific Palisades Residents Association President, Pali LTRG Executive Director.
Please don’t stop posting the nonprofits that received Fireaid money. It was clear very early on that most of the money raised didn’t go directly to fire victims and instead went to nonprofits that had nothing to do with helping fire victims! It’s outrageous! If I had donated I would be furious that this is happening. I hope there will be prosecutions for this blatant fraud.
It’s not “Council,” it’s “Counsel.” PC’s mission statement surely includes legal services and wildfire resources for clients. Finally, why do you insinuate that PC put up its web page after receiving money, or that Fire Aid went to support salaries? Why evidence do you have for your statements?
Betsy–go to Proppublica and put in the nonprofits name and tell me what you find. You seem really angry.
Sue
Keep it up, Sue. Put those multiple feet to the fire!
I would certainly like to hear Rick Caruso’s thoughts on this. Didn’t the organizers of FireAid explicity state funds were not to be used for salaries and administrative expenses? And has any individual who lost their homes received money from FireAid?
Please keep up the excellent reporting on the use/misuse of FireAid money. It was intended for FIRE VICTIMS. Period, full stop.
While Fireaid did not deliver a bag of cash directly to me, I received plenty of aid through the grantees, including thousands of dollars in gift cards and a huge amount of clothing, food and household items.
What I don’t understand is why you aren’t going after the ones who are responsible. Irving Azoff, Annenberg Foundation and The California Community Foundation.
I personally don’t believe the grantees are to blame.
In regards to Palistrong, I’ve got it on pretty good authority that Larry Vein was shocked when he received $500k. If it upsets you, that’s a grantor problem, not a grantee problem. If it makes you feel better, go ahead and beat up on a guy who was trying to do something positive. I think he’s learning that no good deed goes unpunished.
I looked on Propublica for information on Public Counsel and could not find a thing. I then asked A.I. if they are a sham and the reply said they are absolutely legitimate.
I know Public Counsel well as I’ve been the music leader for their events for over 20 years and I am proud of my association with the organization. I can’t think of a finer one. If I’d lost my home in Tahitian Terrace, I’d be reaching out to them for legal aid. You probably would not like them because they sued the city on behalf of the street vendors and won. Nevertheless, they are helping a lot of fire victims who are having problems with landlords, insurance, etc. Coincidentally, five members from their Board of Directors lost their homes in the Palisades. I don’t believe any of them are complaining about the Fireaid money.
I don’t know what the point of all of this is. All of the funds will not be returned and redistributed, but I suspect there will be fewer future disaster benefits and the ones that do happen will be thought through in a better manner.
FireAid claimed that the $100 million raised was “designated for direct relief and will not be used for administrative purposes”. If there is community wide feeling that Pali Strong is committing breach of fiduciary duty (violating obligations to use funds for stated charitable purpose, not using any of it for personal enrichment/ salary) then the community, via PPCC I imagine, could demand to see an accounting of how the funds are being used. Failure to produce could result in a civil suit or filing CT‑9 with the AG’s Registry of Charities and Fundraisers to prompt investigation. This could result in recovery of misused funds or financial penalties. Anything short of transparency and justice is a barrier to healing IMHO. I applaud all who work to progress the recovery of our community. But any misuse of fireaid funds should not be tolerated. If anyone wants to ‘get over it’ and move on, good for them. But don’t shove your life strategy down the throat of others who heal through seeking justice.
Sue, Betsy seems more concerned with the spelling of a word than the catastrophic losses of Palisades residents. Perhaps if she spent more time researching before making questionable claims at best, and less time playing amateur editor, she could educate herself a bit. It is my understanding that FireAid has taken in considerably more than $ 100m to date.
Hello Joy.
I couldn’t agree more with your comments on Feb 7– every word of it. Thank you for speaking what’s on many of us fire victims’ mind. Sue, thank you very much for exposing these “non-profit” organizations, one at a time. It draws a clear picture for those of us who are upset with improper distributions of FIREAID concert money. Bait & switch is what it was.
I spoke with Larry Vein several months ago when he said he was getting his Pali Strong fire “aid” (ha ha) money. I asked Larry how he was going to help fire victims et al with his new found money, mortgage relief, renter money assistance, permit help, just how how could anyone qualify for whatever/wherever his money was going. He said, “We’re putting together a webpage where people can go and find resources and what to do.” Swell. I replied, “It doesn’t take a half million dollars to create a webpage or there wouldn’t be any webpages.” His “people” were going to contact us. We’ve never heard from him again. I guess Larry’s too busy trying to figure out how to build a webpage.
I can confirm what Brandy said above about Larry. Apparently he used 200k and is looking to offload the rest to another org to take the heat off. Where did that 200k go? a website? He uses Mighty Network, that doesnt cost 200k, anyone can start a Mighty Network account. I understand he applied and got it, but he should give it back back to residents or businesses directly impacted, he is not doing anything but going on social media and “reporting” – we don’t need that. Keep reporting on fireaid Sue. Although there are many non-profits who did help, there are many others who didn’t.
@Michèle Lynch:
Which one of the NPO’s do you work for? You obviously have a huge chip on your shoulder regarding any questioning of NPO activity.
You said “The nonprofits who were awarded money are quality organizations who will use it well”. You’re completely missing the point that the Fire Aide money was supposed to DIRECTLY help victims of the fire and not be used for whatever non fire related causes the NPO’s deemed to be worthwhile.