Fund split issues delay distribution of millions to Newtown families

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NEWTOWN, Conn., May 7 (UPI) -- A top Connecticut official has become involved in talks about how to divide money raised for the Newtown victims after hearings were postponed this week.

Questions about whether the 40 families affected by the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School should get more money delayed the hearings on how to give out $7.7 million, The Hartford Courant reported Monday.

The money is part of a $11.3 million fund controlled by Sandy Hook Newtown Community Foundation Inc.

Family members and their representatives raised questions Friday with representatives of state Attorney General George Jepsen about how the foundation decided on the 70-30 split of the money.

Members of the foundation have said not all the money should be given to the victims' families because the community would have long-term needs after the shooting.

Patrick Kinney, a spokesman for the foundation, said a meeting with the attorney general's office could be held as early as Wednesday.

A three-person panel set up by the foundation was to hold the hearings. The panel had decided to distribute the $7.7 million among families of the 20 first-graders and six women killed in the shooting, 12 first-graders who survived the shooting and two teachers who were wounded.