PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) – Shirley Lawyer had little to say as she left a Pinellas County courthouse. The former president of the Down Syndrome Network of Tampa Bay (DSNTB) is accused of stealing thousands of dollars donated to her so-called charity.
More than a year ago, Lawyer entered a not guilty plea to a grand theft charge. Now 8 On Your Side has confirmed Lawyer has already paid $1,200 dollars in restitution. The money Lawyer paid is being held by the clerk of the court. Prosecutors want to see if she is capable of and willing to pay restitution before possibly entering into a plea deal or heading to trial.RELATED: Volunteers wait on Down Syndrome president’s prosecution
In October 2014 8 On Your Side began asking Lawyer questions about where the money, donated to help children with Down Syndrome, was going. Lawyer insisted she could account for all the donated money. But she couldn’t or wouldn’t explain to Barbara Brown, who helped raise tens of thousands for DSNTB through a golf and tennis tournament.
Nor did Lawyer have an explanation for Ron Girard. Girard helped raise thousands for the nonprofit as part of a nationwide fund raising walk.RELATED: Tax woes plague Down Syndrome Network of Tampa Bay president
Our investigation also found the IRS revoked the charity’s nonprofit status because officials failed to file tax returns.
Four months after 8 On Your Side reports began airing about the network, Largo police arrested Lawyer. Detectives claim she stole $111,000 dollars of donated money for cash payments to herself, mortgage payments, dining, groceries and other things.
And more than a year later, if she has one, Lawyer isn’t sharing her explanation about where all that money went.RELATED: Down Syndrome Network of Tampa Bay president charged with theftWHAT OTHERS ARE CLICKING ON RIGHT NOW:
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