It is always about the money. Too much money from all of these fund raisers whether is for veterans, police, or fire departments goes into the wrong pockets. I don't contribute at all to fund raisers, I instead donate directly.

All charitys should have at least 90% of their monies going to the charities and only 10% for overhead anything more than that and they are milking the chariety and in it for the money.

who can justify a $2 million pension ? our presidents don't get that.....

There is so much untrust in this country & it starts right at the top with government officials in charge of fund raising. Even religious scandals back in the 1970's got exposed, using God's money for an air - conditioned dog house. Everybody is ripping each other off. Doesn't matter who you are or what you represent, where there is money there is crooks. Wonder how some people became rich? They mis- named Wall Street should be Swindle Avenue & " In God We Trust " don't mean a thing anymore. A very big countrywide cover all charity organization with a good reputation called " The United Way " did this same thing some 20 years ago by those in charge of the money. It shocked everyone that this happened to such a great cause. I would hang these kinds of people, better yet stand them up without a blindfold in front of a Firing Squad of 12 Snipers. Their day will come in HELL. Crooks are all over in this country of moral decline. I want to see what their punishment will be or will they get a bonus in pay for doing bad like Wall Street does. Take out of one pocket & put into the other. Who do you Trust? Get a good dog, they won't let you down. These people have no conscience. They will only look at it & say it was just money, but if one of their children lost an arm or a leg in war it may change their whole outlook. I doubt if they even personally know any vets. Semper Fi Brothers.

any charitable organisation that has ceo's making more than 40k or more does not deserve a dime...this is because they are suppose to be for charity... not their pocketbook...the money people donate to these organisations are suppose to help the disabled or disadvantiaged...not some bloke who is trying to get rich from the organisation...and working for a charitable organisation should not be a living...should be only funded by voluntaries services...

I am One of the 7% of Americans that served both in combat and peacetime, I called Wounded Warriors Project for help they pretty much blew me off! They didn't want nothing to do with a disabled veteran! Maybe they should be investigated too,it's sad that these people make a good living off of soldiers that put their life on the line to defend the very freedoms they enjoy it's just SAD!

As a DAV, I am always appreciative of what ever charitable measures that the American public bestows. I will give freely to the guys standing outside our local supermarkets and shopping establishments that are collecting for Vets programs, because I know most of these gents from my trips to the local VA hospital. As far as "big name" charities, I got burned by the Red Cross and the United Way for years before I retired from my civilian jobs. My employer was always "working us over" to obtain 100% participation as "continued fair share givers"... In all due respects, however, I think that the Co. I worked for was also taken in by the money-makers..!

I wish I would have known so many years before, as I would have been far happier to have given it directly to the local VA programs, rather than the crooked bastards that "oversaw" these major charities. Crooks are crooks, some wear masks, some wear neckties, some are in politics.... God Bless and Help America.

From Mad Men,

Asked of Don Draper character--"How do you sleep at night?"

Reply by Don Draper (Michael Lynch and Roger Chapin)--"On a bed of money."

This is absolutely disgusting. I hope the state wins and sends the money where it's supposed to go, the veterans.

I recommend helping out groups small, local and known to people when people ask me who I trust for charities at my Animal Law and/or estate planning seminars. I am starting my own non-profit now, probably calling it LEGAL TLC. It will be small, transparent, controllable, I have fed and state law licenses I wouldn't jeopardize for anything (esp after going to law school late in life after seeing horrible things and feeling helpless), I have been proven to have done this for decades, I've been written up in the papers, and for some reason, maybe because of the work I am doing with lawmakers, network TV started calling asking about stories (incl Service Animal problems, Pet Custody), etc.. Not bragging because heck, I can call the local stations until I am blue in the face to come to things like a protest at a pet store loaded with blood on its hands-nothing. But then a big network show will call (couldn't ethically bring the client on that they demanded, they wanted "semi-light" so my other suggestions were ng, even though I had a U.S. Congressman, other legislators, and even judges who called in a domestic violence/animal abuse coalition, etc. -lock em up before they move on to humans-they WILL. We'll come up with something for them but the nighttime reporter has less of a need for "semi-light" so we will see. The focus is on getting the legislative changes and public education needed to help animals and disabled folks with Service Animals. Maybe get more people to realize animal abuse leads to violence against humans almost 100% of the time (e.g. 85% for certain crims up to 100% for serial killers). So, even if you don't care about critters and like your veal, at least care about all these people who would not have been killed if someone stopped the perps sooner (incl little kids). The point is, people know what is going on in something like this. See what you can find near you and how open to conversation they are, for you to come over and meet them, see the place....

These charitys should be run by veterens people who would never disgrace themselvs for their own greed. People who do crap like this should be whiped and hung by their balls!! I know anytime someone has access to large amounts of money it seems it always turns out like this. There has to be a way to safeguard against this! For God sake are there no honest people left in this world?? God help us and especialy help the service members that deserve the funds!!

Maybe they should sign a agreement that if they are caught stealing they go to jail no trial straight to jail

Set up the stocks in front of the V.A. hospital and lock them in for a week.

Speaking of fraudulent charities, whatever happened to the Virginia Attorney General's investigation of the U.S. Navy Veterans Association (USNVA)? I first reported that organization to the state's Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services in 2007. In my opinion, that office basically gave me lip service and did little to investigate the organization. I had to make inquiries on my own that resulted in a lengthy letter from its alleged USNVA legal office that I was slandering a very worthwhile organization. I turned the letter and other communications over to the Better Business Bureau, Wise Giving Alliance, which put the group on their poor performance listing.

On February 23, 2011, ("Virginia suspects fraud by charity purporting to benefit Navy veterans", by Rosalind S. Helderman, Washington Post Staff Writer, B01) The Washington Post reported that the USNVA was collecting charitable donations under false pretenses. The Virginia Consumer Affairs, according to the article, turned the case over to, the Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli II (R) for possible criminal prosecution. In a direct quote from that article, "The group was run by a man who contributed heavily to political candidates across the country, including donations totaling $55,000 to Cuccinelli's 2009 campaign." (for Attorney General). According to the article, once the USNVA was exposed, Attorney General Cuccinelli II agreed to donate the money to legal charities.

After that, I have not seen or heard a word about the Association or the investigation in The Washington Post - or in any other news media. The USNVA was suspected of "...running a scam operation."

These disgusting parasites are the lowest scum on earth. How dare they use the sacrifice of true heros to stuff their bank accounts with funds donated by good-hearted people? Every cent they have and every piece of property they own should be confiscated and given to honest charitable organizations. And, in addition, these scum should be put in jail for a lengthy time. And, at least two of these guys are "conservatives"? Wow! What does that say about their values? They stink more than piles of feces. As a veteran, I am so disgusted that there is no way to describe exactly what should be done.

If the accusations are proven, these people rank slightly above pedophiles. An appropriate sanction would be the removal of two limbs by IUD, and then commitment to a public welfare nursing home for the rest of their lives.

Sorry, @!$%# like this just pisses me off.

Everywhere I go now they are collecting money for some organiztion. The supermarket, the drugstore, mail solicitation, phone, e-mail. I cannot even tell what is legitimate. After hearing these stories It makes me so leery. You want your maoney to go to the veterans or the victims. This is a disgrace & I do not know how these people live with themselves. Wish the government would investigate them. If found fraudulent prosecute them!

If convicted the sentence should be drafted into the Army with six weeks of basic training and immediate service in Afghanistan until such time as they are unfit for service or cessation of hostilities, whichever comes first.

And if they get the money, an open and public accounting of where it goes should be available to all.

Since they are recovering the money in the name of the veterans, it should go to the veterans, and the lawyers should do this pro bono.

"The recommended standard is about 65 percent."

This is something Congress needs to address and make it 80-95% MANDATORY be spent on the people the charity is supposed to help. But good luck getting RepukliCONs to do ANYTHING to help ANYONE except the rich.

I am a disabled Marine veteran and I never give to any of these BS charities. They are all a big scam and when a vet goes to one for help they are turned away. Someone needs to investigate Wounded Warriors and Semper Fi Fund they are scams as well. If you want to donate give to a vet directly.

Why no stories on MSN about lawsuit filed against Janet Napolitano for sexual discrimination against men?

Any money california gets they will keep.
With a 16 billion dollar deficit they will begin suing illegal lemonaide stands eventually.

All these so-called Veterans Charities' are SCAMS and BS Groups. Even the charities such as the VFW, DAV and the American Legion need to be watched closely for signs of corruption. They are always looking around for $$$$ then turning around and kissing Republican Ass. Remember how they screwed John Kerry?

After returning home from Viet Nam I went to University on the GI Bill and damn near starved to dealth even with 2 part time jobs. I then organized a Vets Club on campus to help Veterans coming back from the war. We needed a raise our monthly stipend($90.00) for food, rent, books and tuition. Congress said NO! And all the vets charities refused to help us, they were to busy drinking and fighting WW2 in their heards

After that lesson we learned to ignore all these so-called vets charities and go radical. That worked.

"The business of America is business". Never think that it is anything different. You see someone on the street that looks like he or she could use a meal, buy them one. Give the person your coat or a blanket. Anyone who is stupid enough to think that the U.S. is a "Christian" nation needs mental help. Mitt Romney is running on a platform based upon his success at making money and not because of his Christian charity. Charities are about money and nothing more. Wake up saps and see America as it really is. As to helping Vets, sorry Vets you spent those years in the service of your country and now you are seeing reality. Nobody gives a damn. Spoken from a Vet.

Why should others make a profit at the expense of victims?