Driscoll Resigns From Armed Forces Foundation

Patricia Driscoll has resigned from her post as executive director of the Armed Forces Foundation.

The organization’s board of directors placed Driscoll on administrative leave last week, and accepted her resignation Tuesday. She has been accused of financial impropriety in her role at the helm of the veterans’ organization. A May 22 Outside the Lines report by ESPN Senior Writer Mike Fish revealed that FBI and IRS officials are investigating a series of questionable financial practices during Driscoll’s 12-year tenure with the AFF.

A federal whistleblower complaint filed by a former AFF employee alleges that Driscoll was loaned money by the foundation to pay personal expenses, including legal fees associated with a child-custody case, the purchase of security equipment for Driscoll’s home and vacations to Paris and Morocco. Over a 19-month period from 2012 to 2013, the foundation allegedly made 17 monthly payments totaling more than $100,000 on a credit card linked to Driscoll's business, Frontline Defense Systems. Those expenses included grocery bills, medical expenses, massage and dermatologist treatments and toy store bills. Driscoll also allegedly received substantial fundraising bonuses that were not reported by the foundation.

Her attorney issued a statement in the days following the Outside The Lines story, saying his client "unequivocally denied any allegation that she has used AFF funds to pay any of her personal expenses."

During her tenure with the AFF, Driscoll was a fundraising dynamo, increasing donations from roughly $100,000 in 2001 to more than $13 million in 2013. Her high-profile relationship with Busch ended abruptly late last year, when Driscoll accused Busch of choking her and slamming her head against the wall of his motorhome at Dover International Speedway on September 22. 

The former Sprint Cup Series champion denied those charges, saying he merely cupped Driscoll’s face in his hands while repeatedly asking her to leave. His attorney described Driscoll’s allegations as “a complete fabrication by a woman who has refused to accept the end of a relationship.”  

The Delaware Department of Justice announced in early March that no charges would be filed against Busch, citing insufficient evidence of any assault.

On February 20 of this year, Driscoll alleged in a FOX and Friends interview that she is not the only woman to be abused in NASCAR.

“I’ve had a lot of women come forward to me from the NASCAR community, to say they were also abused and that they’re being harassed by other team members,” said Driscoll. She declined to cite specific instances or name names.

Driscoll issued a written statement today, praising the AFF’s efforts without addressing the charges against her or commenting on her resignation. The foundation also issued a statement thanking Driscoll for her work, saying, "We are appreciative of Patricia's 12 years of service to our armed forces, veterans, and their families."