FireAid is back in the spotlight after it was revealed that $250,000 of the money – which was raised for fire victims of the Los Angeles wildfires – was funneled into George Clooney’s NGO, which funds “gender justice champions” in 40 countries
Clooney’s ‘Foundation for Justice,’ is an NGO founded by George and Amal Clooney that focuses on global gender justice initiatives.
Its mission is described as “waging justice through free legal aid for free speech and women’s rights in over 40 countries, including monitoring unfair trials, challenging unjust laws, establishing legal clinics for the vulnerable, and supporting the next generation of gender justice champions.”
The $250,000 grant to the Clooney Foundation was part of FireAid’s second round of distributions, which totaled $25 million in May.
FireAid has given out nearly $75 million to date, with $50 million released in February to 120 nonprofits, however the organization has admitted that no money has been given directly to the fire victims.
In fact, audits and investigations revealed that the money went to organizations for indirect support rather than to individual homeowners.
Meanwhile, residents who lost their homes in the fire – which destroyed more than 7,000 structures – have reported sleeping in their cars or on friend’s couches while waiting for aid, or permits to rebuild.
It was previously revealed that CalVolunteers—a state-supported nonprofit under Governor Gavin Newsom’s Office received at least $1 million from FireAid with some reports alleging that Newsom’s office specifically requested up to $500,000.
Jennifer Siebel Newsom – the Governor’s wife – serves as honorary chair of its 25-member board, raising conflict-of-interest concerns as the organization does not focus on direct fire relief.
After it was revealed Jennifer Newsom sat on the board – CalVolunteers was abruptly removed from FireAid’s website, with officials claiming a mix-up between the state entity (California Volunteers) and its independent fund, but critics view this as a cover-up to shield the Newsom family from accountability.
No funds have reached individual victims through this NGO, instead the money was used in part to support administrative roles like the $141,420 salary of director Jacqueline Yannacci, appointed by Newsom – and the $150,000 to his wife.
Furthermore, Investigations reveal FireAid grants went to dozens of groups with political ties to Newsom, including the California Native Vote Project and IDEPSCA (Instituto de Educación Popular del Sur de California), which focus on voter mobilization and immigrant advocacy.
President Donald Trump has labeled FireAid “another Democrat-inspired scam,” calling for for a federal investigation into where the money went.
