Posted on 01/28/2016 8:44:49 PM PST by Citizen Zed
The Wounded Warrior Project is coming under fire after being accused of wasting donations meant for soldiers and their families.
Videos highlight the plight of wounded veterans and ask Americans to donate generously.
And generously they have.
In 2014, Wounded Warrior Project received about $300 million in donations, but the organization is under criticism after former employees allege the charity spends lavishly on staff parties and travel.
They allege the Wounded Warrior Project spent $26 million dollars on conferences and meetings in 2014 alone.
"It's incredibly disturbing," Rep. Seth Moulton said. "I mean, we're talking about people who put their lives on the line for their country and we're talking about a charity that's supposed to be supporting those veterans."
Moulton, an Iraq war veteran, calls the CEO of the Wounded Warrior Project out of touch. Tax forms show Steven Nardizzi earned nearly $475,000 in 2014.
Charity Watch gives the Wounded Warrior Project a C-rating. Another charity watchdog displays charts showing the Wounded Warrior Project spends only 60 percent of its budget on veterans and 30 percent on fundraising.
"I know I stopped donating to the Wounded Warrior Project several years ago when I started hearing rumors about this," Moulton said. "Our veterans deserve the best care in the world and they're not getting it today."
The Wounded Warrior Project released a statement calling on news organizations to correct what it called false information about its finances.
The statement said the charity serves more than 83,000 veterans and their families, and considers itself a leader in nonprofit transparency.
DAV 96.5% contribution to vets is the latest figure. I sent them my check today.
It’s a story because the word is getting out that money donated for the vets is being SQUANDERED on LAVISH lifestyles for the management and staff. 5 star hotels, team building retreats, business first class airline seats, etc. etc. etc. A 60% net to their purpose is BULLSHIT! There are damning investigative reports, one of which I just came from... detailing the ABUSES! Beyond shameful. You can do your homework and find them easily enough with a quick www search. 60% is NOT better than most. What was a grade of 60 in school? F! Fail.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.