EPISODE · Mar 27, 2026 · 1H 18M
Ep. 158 Lewiston Shooting Fund Controversy: Victims Demand Accountability Over $1.9M to Nonprofits
from Muddy Waters · host Charles "Chuck" Ellis
In Episode 158 of the Muddy Waters Podcast, host Chuck Ellis talks with Amy Susman and Destiny Johnson about the handling of donations after the 2023 Lewiston mass shooting.Amy, whose nephew Max Hathaway was one of the 18 killed, explains how she discovered that nearly $1.9 million of the $6.6 million raised by the Maine Community Foundation went to 29 local nonprofits (roughly $65,000 each), while many direct victims and survivors received far less. She discusses transparency issues, donor confusion (many believed 100% would go to victims and families), steering committee conflicts of interest, and limited direct help from some funded organizations.Destiny, who was inside Schemengees during the shooting and witnessed her friend being shot, shares the lasting trauma survivors face and the gaps in support they encountered.The conversation covers revictimization, best practices from Victims First (100% of funds go directly to victims with no admin fees), calls for accountability from the Maine Community Foundation, and why this matters for trust in nonprofits after tragedies.Full disclosure: Chuck serves as Chairman of the Board for The Root Cellar, one of the organizations that received funds and later redirected an equivalent amount ($65,521.79) directly to Victims First to support Lewiston victims and survivors.This is an unfiltered look at a story the mainstream media has largely avoided. If you care about donor intent, transparency, and supporting those still impacted by the Lewiston tragedy, this episode is essential listening.Victims First Lewiston fund (direct support for victims & survivors): victimsfirst.orgOngoing coverage: The Maine Wire#LewistonShooting #MaineCommunityFoundation #VictimFund #MainePodcast #Transparency
What this episode covers
In Episode 158 of the Muddy Waters Podcast, host Chuck Ellis talks with Amy Susman and Destiny Johnson about the handling of donations after the 2023 Lewiston mass shooting.Amy, whose nephew Max Hathaway was one of the 18 killed, explains how she discovered that nearly $1.9 million of the $6.6 million raised by the Maine Community Foundation went to 29 local nonprofits (roughly $65,000 each), while many direct victims and survivors received far less. She discusses transparency issues, donor confusion (many believed 100% would go to victims and families), steering committee conflicts of interest, and limited direct help from some funded organizations.Destiny, who was inside Schemengees during the shooting and witnessed her friend being shot, shares the lasting trauma survivors face and the gaps in support they encountered.The conversation covers revictimization, best practices from Victims First (100% of funds go directly to victims with no admin fees), calls for accountability from the Maine Community Foundation, and why this matters for trust in nonprofits after tragedies.Full disclosure: Chuck serves as Chairman of the Board for The Root Cellar, one of the organizations that received funds and later redirected an equivalent amount ($65,521.79) directly to Victims First to support Lewiston victims and survivors.This is an unfiltered look at a story the mainstream media has largely avoided. If you care about donor intent, transparency, and supporting those still impacted by the Lewiston tragedy, this episode is essential listening.Victims First Lewiston fund (direct support for victims & survivors): victimsfirst.orgOngoing coverage: The Maine Wire#LewistonShooting #MaineCommunityFoundation #VictimFund #MainePodcast #Transparency
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Ep. 158 Lewiston Shooting Fund Controversy: Victims Demand Accountability Over $1.9M to Nonprofits
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