Money donated after the Aurora movie-theater shooting should go directly to the victims and their families, said representatives of those killed or injured July 20. Yet, they said Tuesday, they’ve had no say and seen little from the $5 million relief fund in their names.

“We are certain that everyone who donated their hard-earned wages intended for 100 percent of their donations to go directly to the victims, and then each family affected would use those funds for what they most needed to help with the healing process,” said group spokesman Tom Teves.

He read from a statement delivered to media Tuesday morning at The Summit Conference and Event Center in Aurora.

Teves, father of slain victim Alex Teves, said grieving and stressed families have been forced to contend with bureaucrats in a process that is neither transparent nor responsive.

“The Giving First website continues collecting donations using the pictures and names of our loved ones to motivate donations without our permission (and by) promising this would go ‘directly to the victims,’ ” Teves said.

The group of victims, he said, should include anyone inside the movie theater that night or those living at suspect James Holmes’ apartment, which was booby-trapped with explosives.

It should include, Teves said, anyone harmed physically or emotionally, directly or indirectly, by “the coward’s” actions.

The loosely organized 7/20 Recovery Committee, charged with distributing the donations, has released $350,000 to the Colorado Organization for Victim Assistance. The families’ understanding is that, after they started asking questions and discussed holding a news conference in mid-August, checks were cut, giving $5,000 each to families of the 12 people killed and the 58 wounded in the shooting at the Century Aurora 16 theater.

Teves said he has had trouble getting straight answers and commitments from COVA. Not everyone has received money.

“We shouldn’t have to beg to get a little voice,” Teves said.

Dave Hoover, uncle of slain victim A.J. Boik, said he has had to help several victims contact COVA because they were left entirely out of the loop. “It needs to be fixed,” he said.

Prosecutors were delayed in forwarding names and addresses of victims to COVA by a court-issued gag order.

Earlier this month, the lawyers asked a judge for permission to send on the names. It was granted.

COVA executive director Nancy Lewis said she couldn’t comment because of the gag order. “I would love to defend my staff and the work they have done here, but I can’t do it.”

When Teves voiced his concerns to administrators at Community First Foundation, which oversees GivingFirst.org, he said, he was told victims could start their own fund.

Members of the group were also critical of Gov. John Hickenlooper’s role in the tragedy’s aftermath.

“Gov. Hickenlooper, you came and grieved with our families,” Teves said. “We allowed you into our innermost circle at the worst time in our lives. We didn’t do that lightly. You pledged 12 times that ‘We will remember.’ Are you a man who is true to his word, or were they just words?”

The governor’s office responded that everyone is trying to do the right thing in a difficult situation. A meeting between families and the 7/20 Recovery Committee is scheduled Friday to improve relations.

“We understand the frustration shared today by victims’ families,” governor’s spokesman Eric Brown said. “That’s why we have been advocating for them to have a greater voice in the process. We have also actively supported the 7/20 Recovery Committee to improve communication and the ongoing distribution of assistance.”

In the last week, the 7/20 Recovery Committee selected nine members for an executive committee, although more members could be added, city of Aurora spokeswoman Kim Stuart said.

The executive committee held its first organizing meeting Tuesday, the day of the victims’ news conference.

The committee also just engaged a special adviser, former Mile High United Way executive Rich Audsley, who was the lead staff member for the Columbine Healing Fund.

“The committee is a group of committed and compassionate people who want to do the right thing,” Audsley said.

When asked about the families’ demands for more say about how the funds will be distributed and used, Audsley said: “The lion’s share, the vast majority of the fund, will go to the victims.”

And, he said, every effort will be made to give the victims and their families “input” into decisions. Yet, he added, the pool of victims is much larger than the 70 killed and wounded. Many people in the community suffered trauma as a result of the shooting. The long-term needs of the community will require significant investment in mental health agencies.

Mike White Sr., whose 33-year-old son, Mike, was shot in the chest, said his son isn’t the same person he was before a bullet shattered a rib and punctured his left lung. His son stays in his room. He has experienced panic attacks — one at a group therapy session. His family has received nothing of the $5 million in donations.

“When you have a family that needs bread at night, you can’t have places that keep this kind of money,” White said.

Electa Draper: 303-954-1276, edraper@denverpost.com or twitter.com/electadraper

7/20 recovery committee

The executive committee includes:

Don Quick, district attorney for the 17th Judicial District

Robin Finegan, victim services specialist who worked with Oklahoma City bombing, Columbine and Hurricane Katrina victims

Steven Siegel, Office of the Denver District Attorney

Marla Williams, president and CEO of Community First Foundation

Paul Suss, Aurora business owner and community leader

John Gay, chairman of the Aurora Key Community Response Team

Skip Noe, Aurora city manager

Reid Hettich, chair of Aurora Faith Community

Michelle Wolfe, Aurora deputy city manager.