The private foundation that’s given financial support to the state’s troubled cancer-fighting agency says it’s shutting down.
The Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas – known as CPRIT – has its own problems. The agency is being investigated for its handling of some taxpayer-funded grants.
On Tuesday, though, it was the private foundation formed to supplement the salaries of CPRIT’s top executives that brought the wrath of state lawmakers.
The CPRIT Foundation is under investigation by the Texas Attorney General.
Top officials from the foundation said it cannot continue to exist given the controversy surrounding it.
Jennifer Stevens, the foundation’s executive director, told lawmakers the foundation has about $300,000 dollars left to spend.
"We would welcome the guidance of the Legislature on how best to do this," she said. "We do have obligation to donors to use their funds in ways they indicated they want the dollars to be used. The donors do want to see the work of institute in fight against cancer."
Stevens says the foundation will shut down within 60 days.
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