Bush Veterans Speaking Fee Only Part of the Story

The hype on President Bush's speaking fee is misplaced. Frankly, the speech was given in 2012, not this year or even last year. So why is this news now?

"The former president was also given use of a private jet at a cost of $20,000 and former First Lady Laura Bush was paid $50,000 to speak to the group last year."

So why did a charity set up to help veterans think it was a good idea to pay any speaking fee? How many other charities pay speakers? And again, why is this news now?

To Help US Veterans Charity, George W. Bush Charged $100,000
ABC News
By MEGAN CHUCHMACH and BRIAN ROSS
Jul 8, 2015

Former President George W. Bush charged $100,000 to speak at a charity fundraiser for U.S. military veterans severely wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan, and former First Lady Laura Bush collected $50,000 to appear a year earlier, officials of the Texas-based Helping a Hero charity confirmed to ABC News.

The former President was also provided with a private jet to travel to Houston at a cost of $20,000, the officials said.

The charity, which helps to provide specially-adapted homes for veterans who lost limbs and suffered other severe injuries in “the war on terror in Iraq and Afghanistan,” said the total $170,000 expenditure was justified because the former President and First Lady offered discounted fees and helped raise record amounts in contributions at galas held in 2011 and 2012.

“It was great because he reduced his normal fee of $250,000 down to $100,000,” said Meredith Iler, the former chairman of the charity.

However, a recent report by Politico said the former President’s fees typically ranged between $100,000 and $175,000 during those years.
read more here

ABC US News | World News

Helping A Hero Org from Charity Navigator

On April 8, 2014, the Houston Chronicle reported that Helping A Hero "has been under fire by several veterans who were given homes and former directors of the organization critical of its financial records, treatment of soldiers and broken promises." The article specifically reports on "the family of one blind veteran" that "sued the organization late last year for trying to take back his home [...] after he died. The lawsuit states that a buy-out option the organization tried to execute was invalid." Specifically, the veteran's father, Beau LeVine said "he had the power of attorney and was not present when that contract was signed by his blind son who could not read it. He also said the house was not worth the $250,000 that Meredith Iler [the charity's chair] reported was raised for it. The contract lists its value as $170,000." The article notes that in response IIer, "...contends Beau LeVine was present when the contract was signed, and she did nothing wrong. She said the contract stipulation is being enacted to buy back the home and give it to another disabled soldier. She said her organization has provided homes for nearly 100 veterans in 22 states." For more information, see the Houston Chronicle article.

On June 3, 2014, the charity provided the following statement: Helping a Hero requires the veteran to take out a $50,000 mortgage and live in the home for 10 years before the equity is fully vested in the veteran.

Insiders allege misuse of funds at home-building charity
WFAA
Brett Shipp
November 7, 2014

Seems that the wrong hype is being blasted across the globe. Would have been nice if all the above was mentioned.