9 Investigates the delay in funds distributed to Pulse victims', survivors

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — The One Orlando Fund has raised about $20 million dollars since the June 12 attack that killed 49 people and injured 53 others.

9 Investigates reviewed the detailed accounting of the city fund and found out there is $16 million in the bank, including $7 million from Go Fund Me accounts set up by Equality Florida and The Center.  Another $4 million worth of pledges is expected.

It took three weeks for Channel 9’s Daralene Jones to get a detailed account of the money coming into the fund.

Jones asked Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer why it has taken so long for the city to start handing out money to the victims’ families and survivors who need the money for medical bills and other expenses. The Mayor told us people with immediate needs are able to get help through the assistance center. Money from the One Orlando fund will help people with long term needs.

“What we know for sure is that we want to distribute 100 percent of the proceeds that we collect from One Orlando to the victims and their families,” Dyer said.

The money is not expected to be distributed until October.

The city has enlisted the help of Kenneth Feinberg to help develop an application process and criteria for whom will be eligible for the donations.

Feinberg has managed funds for victims' compensation after the BP oil spill, Sept. 11 attacks, Virginia Tech shootings and the Boston marathon bombings.

He wasn’t available for our story Tuesday. However, we found a video recording from a lecture he gave during a visit to the University of Virginia law school, where he acknowledged the obstacles in distributing these funds.

"You have to know how much money you have because that drives every other issue,” Feinberg said. Including who will be eligible and how much each person will receive, once approved.

Feinberg said in the lecture that people have to corroborate their claims, and he found some people were discouraged from filing claims after learning they would have to report this as income to the IRS. The city has set up public hearings scheduled for August 4 at the Amway Center.

People can also contact the Victim Assistance Center for more information.

Contact Daralene Jones for more on this story.

Cox Media Group