Previously posted ...
KHAZARIAN EXTRAORDINAIRE - ARIEL SHARON !!!
http://conpats.blogspot.com/2014/01/chuck-kolb-01162014.html
Sad to say, the Wounded Warrior Project is bled dry by a top heavy, greedy executive structure and the remaining funds
are disbursed to multi-tier distribution organizations with similar management structures. By the time the money actually
goes to direct benefits for veterans, there is probably less than 10% that reaches them.
Below are results of an investigation by a retired USMC Colonel.
Wounded Warrior Project: Trace Adkins and the West Point Cadet Glee Club
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9IjjUCFFmg (5:04)
http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/
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There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted
above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
1 Corinthians 10:13 KJV
WOUNDED WARRIORS Project A Legal SCAM !!!
Thanks Dr. Jim Harris - ALOHA from Honolulu Hawaii
Bio - http://www.veteranstoday.com/author/asknod/
Wounded Warriors Project A Legal Scam
by Alex Graham
As we are coming to find out, wounded Vets are big money. Considering I’m 146% disabled, I’m trying to figure out how to tap into this. The only thing I can see is to start my own 501(c)(3) and start cooking the books with a big $300 K a year salary for my work. Member and eagled-eyed scrutinizer Bruce spotted this heartbreaking article. Just when we thought it was safe to come out of the woods after the last news of the Big Six VSOs padding their bank accounts on the backs of all our disabled, along comes this article and investigation revealing nothing is sacred among thieves.
If you were thinking about donating to the Wounded Warrior Project, think twice. It would behoove you to get in your car and drive cross-country to deliver the funds to the charity you hope to help. More money would end up in their hands than entrusting it to the WWP for disbursement. The Beatles song Tax Man comes to mind- Here’s one for you, nineteen for me. Here’s what I received. It’s ugly.
I’m really sad to read this about the Wounded Warrior Project. I have definitely been a supporter up to now. The attached 2011 990 tax return is a real eye opener! For one, that’s a lot of BIG salaries they are paying at the first and apparently the second (outsourced) level for executive compensation! Obviously it’s not only corporations that can get greedy.
>Sad to say, the Wounded Warrior Project is bled dry by a top heavy, greedy executive structure and the remaining funds are disbursed to multi-tier distribution organizations with similar management structures. By the time the money actually goes to direct benefits for veterans, there is probably less than 10% that reaches them. Below are results of an investigation by a retired USMC Colonel.
At a recent meeting of a veterans association with which I am involved, a suggestion was made that we contribute to “The Wounded Warriors Project” (WWP). As an officer of the association, I was asked to do some research and make a recommendation regarding contributing to WWP. As one who fervently believes that our wounded warriors and their care-giving families deserve our unqualified support, I also believe that the public should be informed of the appropriateness and effectiveness of charitable organizations that support veterans.
The results of my research are disappointing, to say the least. To summarize, the WWP collects a fee in the form of generous compensation paid to WWP executives who outsource fund raising, collection and distribution of funds to other 501.c.3 organizations which provide services that directly benefit veterans. The WWP would make Bernie Madoff proud!
My actual report follows for your information.
Sent: Friday, May 24, 2013 8:01 PM
Subject: Wounded Warrior Project
Pursuant to your request, I have reviewed the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) FY 2011 Form 990 (copy attached). In addition, I have surveyed other available information pertaining to WWP.
I did note the pie chart percentages which you mention (Administrative Expense: 4.4%, Fundraising Exp.: 12.8%). Based on the WWP Form 990, these figures are misleading. Total 2011 revenues were $154.9 MM with total fundraising expenses of $20.5MM and total administrative expenses, including outsourced services, of $95.5MM. Note that the total administrative expense includes fund raising. Therefore, as a percentage of total revenue, administrative expenses amount to 61.63%, including fundraising expenses of 13.2%. This equates to 38.36% of revenues available to benefit wounded warriors.
As far as I can determine, WWP outsources all major functions, including fundraising, legal, donation processing, donation distribution, etc.
Compensation for the top ten WWP employees runs from $150K to $333K per officer annually.
As far as I can determine, WWP does little, if any, direct support of wounded warriors and wounded warrior programs. Rather, WWP makes grants and contributions to other 501.c.3 organizations which operate wounded warrior programs and/or serve veterans directly. Examples of 501.c.3 organizations receiving WWP funds include Fisher House, The American Red Cross, The VFW, Easter Seals, and numerous little known and unheard of local and national organizations. While many of these organizations provide valuable services to wounded warriors, many more are suspect. As an example, I question an expenditure of $300K for a parade. Some organizations are known to be inefficient and not the favorite of veterans (e.g. The American Red Cross). I also question the use of funds for lobbying activities. It would appear that HMM-265 Veterans Association would be eligible to receive WWP funds.
It is true that WWP was the center of controversy involving their anti-Second Amendment position, as mentioned during our general meeting.
There is no question that WWP does contribute substantial funds for the benefit of wounded warriors. Notwithstanding, it appears that a more effective use of Association funds would be to contribute directly to The Fisher House, Navy-Marine Corps Relief, The Salvation Army, and others.
Attached below is IRS Form 990 revealing the perfidy of their spending (or lack thereof). Please, sir. May I have another parade? wwp-900-fy-2012
P.S. There seems to be a little misunderstanding about how I can be 146% disabled. If I round it up, it is actually 150% but I have claims pending which will add to it and hopefully pay me for being housebound until I reach room temperature. If any of you are familiar with Chapter 38, Code of Federal Regulations (38CFR) , please turn to Part 3, § 3.350. Or, in the alternative, look at 38 United States Code, § 1114. There you will find a wealth of information on how you, too, can exceed what you perceive, or have been told, is the ceiling (100% rating). The Statute and the regulation both deal with what is known as Special Monthly Compensation (SMC). This is in addition to your normal ratings. For example, if you have a foot or hand blown off, you get SMC “K” for about $100 more in addition to any rating(s) you have. If both your buttocks are shot off, you get one “K” for that as well. You can have up to a maximum of three “K”s simultaneously. If you have separate, ratable disabilities above and beyond 100% (or TDIU), that add up to 60% or more using 38 CFR § 4.25 tables, you get SMC “S” or housebound. If you have two (2) 100% ratings and become severely ill, losing the use of both your legs or both your arms, you are entitled to the next higher rating above SMC “L” which is “M”. This 100% “bump” continues right on up to SMC “N”. If you simply cannot conceive of being more than 100% disabled or vehemently deny its possibility, then I suggest you look in the mirror. VA has been doing it since WWII. They do not advertise this (obviously) as a number of you have never heard of it. This has absolutely nothing to do with this post but somehow has suddenly become a stumbling block for those who seek to find anything to destroy the thrust and import of the post. If you still do not believe me, I suggest you consult the Court of Veterans Appeals (CAVC)decision of Buie v. Shinseki http://asknod.wordpress.com/2011/09/27/cavc-buie-5-v-shinseki-0-2011/. It explains the concept very clearly if you are even remotely versed in the English language. If you are illiterate, then no one can help you absorb this concept. Quite simply, thinking the ratings table ends abruptly at 100% is like insisting the earth is flat. A Marine I helped who ate more Agent Orange and Blue than me now has a 280% rating. He would prefer to have his Chiropractic practice back just as I would prefer to still be building houses. It’s far more financially rewarding, both mentally and physically, to work than to live on a VA compensation check and be viewed as a goldbrick.
And lastly, I take no pleasure in bearing these bad tidings. Dean Graham, no relation to me, of Help Indiana Vets was the progenitor. He and his organization are now being sued for revealing that the WWP Emperor is naked. I suppose they may try to sue me as well. Good Luck. I’ll be dead long before they get an assigned docket date. I’m Stage 4 as of June 2012 and the Bingo light is flashing red. I received the WWP info from Bruce McCartney (Tip of the Spear) in Georgia who many may remember from In The Shadow Of The Blade video of the immortal Huey UH-1 chopper video. He did four tours back to back in-country as a combat medic in a dustoff. I think he speaks for all Veterans of the Vietnam Boundary Dispute. All Veterans help sites aspire to one thing-unity and helping Veterans of all generations. WWP was the first to advocate segregating us by which period we served. They are also the first to take umbrage with the U.S. Constitution (2nd Amendment) and organized religious entities helping Veterans under the auspices of WWP. Always remember, they alone spearheaded the passage of the VA Caregiver Act, making it a benefit only to those who served after 9/11. Pray tell, how is a Vet gutted and left helpless and severely disabled for life by a Bouncing Betty in 1968 no less deserving of a full-time caregiver than a Vet horribly disabled by an IED in 2008? This dichotomy is the hallmark of the WWP and no other Veterans organization. Try to understand that before hurling your epithets at us. Believe me, none of us seek Andy Warhol, fifteen minute fame for a cheap shot at WWP. In the immortal words of John Rambo “They drew first blood, sir”.
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Fallout From Wounded Warriors — Part II
by Alex Graham
Fallout From Wounded Warriors — Part II
by Alex Graham
Any time you have a conflagration of public opinion about a charity, many will rush in from both sides of the controversy angrily proclaiming its innocence or perfidy. We seem to have a similar situation brewing here about the Wounded Warriors Project.
But first, I would like to take a moment to introduce you to the makings of the ‘perfect charity’. In order to gain the trust of Veterans and the caché of respectibility , you must inveigle a certain number of brand-name celebrities or notable persons to front for you. Legitimacy is everything to pickpocketeers and the WWP apparently is no different.
This does not indict the co-conspirators but merely uses them as unwitting pawns. In light of what we are uncovering, many will head for the exits when its excesses can no longer be defended.
The big name players include former Acting VA Secretary Gordon H. Mansfield (VASEC 2007) and former VA Secretary Anthony J. Principi (VASEC 2001-2005 Acting VASEC 1992-1993).
Anthony Odierno, son of Gen. Ray Odierno, was drafted to throw in some name familiarity as well. The rest of the bit players reads like a who’s who of former VA upper management and former military procurement rainmakers.
The long and the short of this is that while they all may profess to be pro Veteran, the monetary bottom line is always the common denominator. Here, as with the latest revelations over the exorbitant wages being paid to the Big Six in Veterans Service Organizations, money is King. Dean Graham sent me the latest cheat sheet and Form 990 (59 pages) this morning where the WWP lists the high cost of martinis as an excuse for their abysmal performance in distributing cash.
To put this in perspective, a 100% disabled Veteran like myself is paid $2,973.00 a month for basic disability. I’m greedy and housebound so I’m also trying to attain Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) ’S’ of $325.00 a month on top of it. My annual compensation for this is$35,696.00/year.
With SMC S it will hopefully be $39,576.00/year. Some in America liken this to being on the dole. Nevertheless, it was a compact struck between the military and me in 1969. I merely had the misfortune to collect on it. I would be far happier building houses and make $150 K/year like my peers in the business.
Now let us look at those enterprising souls at WWP, who also have to eke out a living in this ugly post-recessionary economy. The picture is glum.
Steven Nardizzi, Executive Director $333,379
Albion Giordano, Deputy Executive Director, $303,373
Jeremy Chwat, Chief Program Officer, $212,233
Adam Silva, Chief Development Officer, $201,854
Ronald W. Burgess, CFO $186,757
Christine Hill, Congressional Affairs $174,030
Ralph J Ibson National Policy Director $166,262
John Roberts, Mental Health $162,950
John T Hamre, Direct Response $160,445
Bruce Nitsche, Special Projects $159,904
The sum of their hard labors? $2,061,187.00 in 2011-2012. Fourteen voting members decide these figures. Undaunted by having to file a Form 990, they blithely gloss over their salaries and press on. Four thousand volunteers, many of them unpaid, slave to distribute the largesse.
The flaw in this system is endemic as it is at the American Red Cross and other similarly situated 501(c)(3)s. Too many chiefs getting paid ungodly high wages and thousands of Indians slaving for free-oblivious to what is going on above them.
Now let’s take a look at the Veterans Service Organizations who purport, as WWP does, to help Veterans get service connected for their injuries.
In this post I put up in April 2013, I bemoaned the fact that any Veterans organization would petition its membership for donations under the auspices of helping fellow Veterans to pay their CEOs so lavishly.
I suppose if you view it myopically, some of the VSO hierarchy are Veterans and may even be disabled within the tortured meaning of the word. In that case, taking a $250 donation for a life membership at the DAV to help fund the salary of CEO Arthur Wilson is a noble endeavour. Here are annual salaries devoid of the medical/transportation perks.
DAV-Arthur Wilson 2011 wages $353,519.00
VFW- Lawrence Maher 2011 wages $238,513.00
AmLeg- Daniel Wheeler 2011 wages $232,177.00
How these individuals manage to keep body and soul together is beyond me. I won’t venture to guess how many disabled Vets making $35 K a year have to donate in order to keep their aircraft full of JP-4. But, like the WWP, they too, have their flunkies who must wait on them hand and foot. These individuals also must be remunerated for their hard work-apparently at the prevailing VSO wage rate judging from this.
Name of Key Individual Total Compensation
DAV 2011 Form 990
Arthur Wilson $353,519
Barry Jesinoski $346,450
Christopher Clay $325,890
J. Marc Burgess $263,185
Anita Blum $254,726
Joseph Violante $250,520
Garry Augustine $240,358
David Gorman $208,130
William Saunders $160,458
Total $2,403,236
VFW 2010 Form 990
Lawrence Maher $238,513
Robert Wallace $223,410
Allen Kent $219,142
Robert Greene $197,028
John McNeill $171,980
Richard Eubank $163,679
Richard Denoyer $149,741
Richard Kolb $146,664
Thomas Tradewell $146,269
Total $1,656,426
American Legion 2011 Form 990
Daniel Wheeler $232,177
William Justis $163,871
Peter Gaytan $151,735
Philip Onderdon $151,183
Jeffrey Brown $149,991
Patsy Waltz $138,341
John Querfeld $109,513
George Buskirk $77,291
Jimmie Foster $68,726
Total $1,242,828
So, ladies and gentlemen,. Do you yet see the correlation between Veterans and money? Altruism is dead. The almighty dollar reigns. Thirty years ago these fellows were all elbowing each other out of the way to serve for free. As some will insist, it takes money to make money.
You can’t schmooze Congressmen without some walking around money and besides, liquor taxes inside the beltway are exorbitant-hence the high cost of lobbying. Likewise you can not minister to Vets without bags of cash and a host of fellow disbursement channels consisting of your good friends and their wives.
Americans have always had deep pockets when it comes to Veterans’ causes and these gomers play on it. What better way to ‘create’ a job out of whole cloth than to fabricate it on the back of Vets? Please do not take this as a blanket diatribe against giving or charities.
There are thousands who contribute their time and labor to make sure our wounded or injured are honored and helped. You can identify them because they have soiled hands and tired countenances and don’t reek of Tanqueray, quinine and a twist of lime. They also don’t drive a Lexus with someone to open and close the door for them.
Rather than try to compile a detailed, exhaustive list of real charities with real volunteers who perform a valuable mission, I ask you to investigate the bona fides of those you propose to contribute to. A finite review of their IRS Form 990 is often all you need to ascertain who’s been naughty and who’s been nice. The good guys are out there. So is the truth.
And much like the sadness you experience when you see a disheveled soul begging at a freeway off ramp- knowing full well he intends to take your proffered handout and convert it into liquor or drugs- you begrudgingly roll the window down and hand him your tithe.
Giving money to the WWP and their ilk is comparable or maybe even worse. The only difference is that I doubt they drink MD 20-20.
Perform due diligence and do not let your heart be swayed by the words of a few true believers who are too lazy to investigate. Donating is not hard. Donating wisely is.
P.S. And the list of miscreants continues
to be mailed in. Member Pop Smoke sends us this on Goodwill
Industries. $1million for being a Regional Director while the
lowliest worker in the back room is making 22 ¢ an hour ? Yes
you read that right. 22/100 of a dollar an hour. How do they
sleep at night?
http://www.veteranstoday.com/2013/12/27/282381/
http://www.veteranstoday.com/2013/12/27/282381/
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