Roger Chapin, president of Help Hospitalized Veterans, was subpoenaed by Congress this week for defrauding donators. Less than 1/4 of the $170 million raised by the organization from 2004-2006 actually went to veterans. The rest went to fundraising and a generous benefits package for Chapin and his associates, including a salary of $1.5 million, $17 million on country club membership, and $135,000 for an executive’s divorce settlement.
Despite being substantially over the recommended guidelines limiting fundraising to no more than 1/3 of total donations, Chapin defended his actions declaring he was the most honest person in the room (which places him somewhere between a politician and a snake). Chapin balked at the committee’s request that he fully disclose to donors the portion of their donation that would go to veterans retorting, “no one would donate!”
