Failed Florida program run by psychologist is holding onto $170K of unaccounted-for taxpayer money

June 21, 2017

In spring 2017, the Florida legislature cut funding to a psychological self-screening program called CELPHIE at Florida Psychological Associates (FPA) in Nassau County.  The CEO of FPA is psychologist Catherine Drew.  

Documents obtained by Action News Jax show that FPA received about $590,000 for the program, yet financial records only show how approximately $420,000 was spent.  There was no information about the remaining $170,000, yet none of the taxpayer money has been returned by FPA.

Action News Jax's investigation also found potential financial irregularities (such as $150,000 being paid to what may be a shell company owned by someone who appears to be a relative of Catherine Drew) as well as possible conflicts of interest surrounding the program.  

SOURCE: Jenna Bourne, "Failed Nassau County program still holding onto $170K of unaccounted-for taxpayer money," Action News Jax, 21 Jun 2017, http://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/local/failed-nassau-county-program-still-holding-onto-170k-of-unaccounted-for-taxpayer-money/536419041.