'Worst' charity for veterans run by VA employee

[jtuck004]

Charity president works at VA

The CEO and founder of the National Vietnam Veterans Foundation, himself a veteran, is J. Thomas Burch, who is also a federal employee working as an attorney for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Burch is deputy director in the VA's Office of General Counsel, where he pulled down $127,000 in salary in 2014. That's the same year he drew a salary of $65,000 as head of his "zero-star" charity.

A VA spokesman told CNN Burch's position at the veteran's charity is not a conflict of interest "per se". But the spokesman added the VA is now "reviewing" the situation and that the agency's Office of Inspector General is handling that review.

...

The charity's vice president, David Kauffman, said in an email that the NVVF was responsible for "feeding homeless and unemployed veterans by donating to food banks, sent personal care kits to hospitalized veterans and donated blankets, hats and gloves to homeless centers."

According to the charity's tax filings, though, it accounted for about $122,000 in cash donations to veterans, out of more than $8.5 million raised in donations in 2014. That is less than 2% of the charities cash donations being used to support veterans and their families.

http://www.cnn.com/2016/05/16/politics/vietnam-veterans-charity/index.html


I wonder what assistance he has gotten in finding names or getting other support while at the VA? Wouldn't be surprised to find he had gone into people's records to find ways to profit.

[malaise]

1. One more parasite

feeding off the troops (and I don't care if he was one).

[Victor_c3]

2. That gives me an idea!

I'm a veteran and I'm permanately and totally disabled from PTSD. I'm thinking of starting a charity that will buy new Porsches for disabled vets - starting with myself!

I can guarantee that 100% of the money donated would go towards buying me a new Porsche.

Nah! I'm actually doing really well financially despite the struggle I have coming up with $200,000 for a fully loaded 911 Turbo S that I desperately need. Don't even think about donating to my charity! There are other more deserving groups that need help other than my "Porsches for vets" fund.

It's a shame that some people are eager to donate to help those in need while others have no qualms taking advantage of the goodwill of others. It's not like the guy was even in need of the money he was skimming from the charity (not that it makes it alright).