Aurora theater shooting: Victims' families say they have no voice about donations
Update below: Eleven families who lost loved ones in the Aurora theater shooting came together for a news conference today, during which they cast blame on an organization called the Colorado Organization for Victim Assistance and Governor John Hickenlooper.
Big photos below.
They say they have not had any voice in the disbursement of more than $5 million collected in donations from the public and corporations.
In an event at the Summit Convention and Conference Center that stretched from 11 a.m. this morning to early afternoon, nearly twenty family members of victims told reporters that the organization overseeing the funds has a committee with no victim representation.
"We want the public to know what has been going on behind the scenes in regards to the funds that have been raised using the names and faces of our loved ones, supposedly on their behalf," said Tom Teves, father of victim Alex Teves and the first speaker at the event. He explained that an organization called Giving First began collecting millions of dollars within days of the shooting for the Aurora theater victims. 
Sam Levin Tom Teves, right
"To date, Giving First has collected over $5 million," he said. "We thank everyone for giving, and quite frankly, we are humbled by the generosity of the American public.
"We are certain that everyone who donated their hard earned wages intended for 100 percent of their donations to go directly to the victims," he continued, "and then each family affected would use those funds for what they most need to help their healing process. Unfortunately, that doesn't seem to be the case."
Continue reading for more on the news conference held by families of Aurora theater shooting victims.
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