Hopewell councilor at center of GoFundMe lawsuit still not commenting on the case
GoFundMe has yanked from its site a fundraiser that is at the center of a dispute involving the distribution of funds by its former administrator who also is a Hopewell city councilor.
Meanwhile, the councilor in question – Ward 7’s Dominic Holloway – maintains silence on the case on the advice of his attorney, he said after a council meeting Tuesday night. Holloway is being sued by the beneficiary of the account after she claims he took $5,600 from the account to pay for child support.
In a statement to The Progress-Index, a spokesperson for the online crowdfunding source said the fundraiser for the family of 8-year-old child P’Aris Mi-Unique Angel Moore was taken down from the site after the allegations became known.
“Our Trust & Safety team has removed this fundraiser and banned the organizer from the GoFundMe platform,” the statement said. “We have zero tolerance for the misuse of our platform, and we cooperate with law enforcement investigations of those accused of wrongdoing.”
Richmond television station WWBT reported late last week that the Virginia State Police were investigating the matter. However, a VSP spokesperson told The Progress-Index this week that it is department policy not to confirm or comment on investigations.
Because Holloway is an elected official, the state attorney general’s office usually instigates investigations. A message left with an office spokesperson seeking confirmation or comment has not yet been answered.
P’Aris was shot Dec. 30, 2022, while she was playing in front of a relative’s house in Hopewell’s Arlington section. Her death sent shockwaves through the community resulting in several vigils and the GoFundMe account set up by Holloway.
Police Lt. Jaquita Allen confirmed Wednesday afternoon that the murder investigation was still ongoing.
More than $15,000 was raised through GoFundMe, but Brionna Taylor, P’Aris’ mother, said she only had received a fraction of that amount. She filed a lawsuit against Holloway last month in Hopewell General District Court claiming he told her he needed money to pay outstanding child support.
Paperwork filed with the suit listed Holloway’s address as 209 E. Cawson St., which in reality is the Appomattox Regional Library’s Hopewell headquarters and located in Ward 1. That ward is represented by Rita Joyner.
Holloway’s address of record in Hopewell is 3400 Oaklawn Blvd. That property is zoned now for business use, but there is a request before council for a conditional use permit that would allow it to be used as a combination residence and business.
After Tuesday night’s council meeting, The Progress-Index and Richmond TV station WRIC waited for Holloway to come out of the Municipal Building to request comment about the lawsuit. He declined, citing the advice of his attorney, but added he was “doing my best that I can on City Council.” Holloway claims citizens were “disheartened” to hear about the accusations.
“You put it before the hands of God and that’s where we put it,” Holloway, a pastor, said before getting into his vehicle.
The case is scheduled for Aug. 2 in Hopewell General District Court.
GoFundMe told The Progress-Index that donors to P’Aris’ account are protected through a guarantee. Anyone requesting a refund can submit a claim on the GoFundMe website.
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Bill Atkinson (he/him/his) is an award-winning journalist who covers breaking news, government and politics. Reach him at batkinson@progress-index.com or on Twitter at @BAtkinson_PI.
This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: GoFundMe account for Hopewell child pulled amid payment controversy
