NY sues veterans charity over donations spent on home, cars
New York Attorney General Letitia James has sued a veterans charity called Healing for Heroes, along with its founders, alleging donated money meant for disabled veterans was instead spent on the couple's own home improvements, meals, shopping, and vehicle costs.
Snapshot
According to the lawsuit, Healing for Heroes advertised a free lakeside retreat for disabled veterans in western New York but allegedly used it mostly for the founders' own circle of board members, friends, and family. James is asking a court to dissolve the charity and redirect any remaining funds to legitimate veterans organizations, while the founders dispute the claims.
Key points
- The allegations: James' office claims the founders solicited donations in veterans' names while spending much of the money on a bathroom renovation, a deck, meals, shopping, and vehicle upkeep.
- Who was served: The lawsuit says only four retreats were held since the charity's 2024 founding, all involving the founders' associates, while outside veterans who inquired were reportedly turned away.
- Where the money went: The complaint alleges the couple kept over $33,000 from at least 32 Airbnb rentals of the property and deposited cash and Venmo donations into personal accounts, with donated ATVs and an SUV going unreported.
- The response: Healing for Heroes and its founder call the lawsuit a distortion and say they intend to fight the claims in court, with attorneys from Hodgson Russ representing them pro bono.
- The bigger picture: James' office notes veterans are frequent scam targets, citing a $34.2 million FTC recovery tied to Harris Jewelry in 2022, and urges donors to verify charities through the IRS database or groups like Charity Navigator.
Quick take
For a community that depends on charitable goodwill to support wounded and disabled veterans, cases like this one are a reminder to check where a donation actually lands before writing the check. Military.com's reporting lays out exactly how the attorney general's office says the money moved, and it's worth reading in full before deciding who to trust with your next donation.
Read the full story: military.com