Here’s what to know about a stalled $237M donation to Florida A&M

abcnews.go.com:

It would have been the largest-ever private gift to a historically Black college or university: $237 million — far beyond Florida A&M University’s endowment

NEW YORK — In early May, Florida A&M University announced a stunning $237 million gift from a 30-year-old donor who cast himself as Texas’ “youngest African American industrial hemp producer.” The donation, which would have been the largest-ever private gift to a historically Black college or university, was announced at commencement to great fanfare.

Days later, everything began falling apart.

Following public backlash over its apparent failure to properly vet Gregory Gerami's donation, FAMU put the gift on pause. University trustees approved an outside investigation into the six-month process, an advancement officer resigned from her senior post and state officials are now overseeing the independent probe.

Gerami has said the questions over his donation are unnecessary “whack-a-mole” and maintains everything will ultimately work out.

Here's what is known and what to expect next:

University officials say they began meeting virtually with Gerami after he contacted Florida A&M’s development office about a donation last fall.

Following months of conversations, it was agreed that his donation would come through 14 million shares in his fledgling industrial hemp company, Batterson Farms Corp.

Despite an “expansive screening” into Gerami's background that raised questions about his legitimacy, university officials moved forward after looping in Larry Robinson, FAMU's president. The university's board of trustees and foundation board were excluded from the conversations.

The school's then-vice president for university advancement signed a nondisclosure agreement on