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Colo. shooting victims ask for arbitrator

AURORA, Colo. — Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper should take a $5.2 million victims’ fund away from a private group so that assistance can more quickly be distributed, family members of many of those killed or wounded in the Aurora mass shooting said Thursday.

Several relatives of victims expressed frustration with Community First Foundation at a news conference. They urged the governor to pick an independent arbitrator to oversee the donations.

‘‘Victims are paralyzed, facing multiple and painful surgeries, unable to walk, to work, and pay their rent, food, and medical bills,’’ said Tom Teves, whose son, Alex, was among 12 people slain. ‘‘Some have no medical insurance .’’

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Hickenlooper’s office did not have an immediate comment.

Thursday’s news conference was the second time victims have criticized the charity overseeing public donations in the July 20 theater shooting victims and their families.

In August, Teves and others sought a say in how the money raised by the charity is used.

‘‘There have been two tragedies in Aurora,’’ Teves said. ‘‘The first was the theater shooting. The second is how the victims have been treated by the powers that be.’’

The foundation says it has collected $5.2 million and has so far given $5,000 each to the families of the 12 people killed and 58 wounded — a total of $350,000 — to meet their immediate financial needs.

It also has given $100,000 to 10 nonprofit groups, including several mental health groups highlighted on its website soon after the shooting.

To do the greatest good, the money needs to be distributed through an agency experienced at evaluating victims’ needs, said David Borochoff, president of Chicago-based CharityWatch, a watchdog group.

Rich Audsley, an adviser to Community First’s 7/20 Recovery Committee, said the committee has not decided how the money will be distributed to victims.

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