Article from the Salt Lake Tribune

By Nate Carlisle

First published: Jun 16, 2011, 04:50PM

Updated Jul 1, 2011 12:00AM

A former Marine who said he’s worried about veterans losing jobs has paid the fine for one of the women convicted of producing the list of 1,300 alleged undocumented immigrants.A court docket confirms Ted Van Meeteren on Thursday paid the $440 in fines and fees for Leah D. Carson. Carson received the fines and fees earlier this month after pleading guilty in Midvale Justice Court to a misdemeanor count of false statement by an unemployment compensation agent. A judge also sentenced Carson to 12 months of probation.Van Meeteren, of Ogden, is the state representative for American Combat Veterans of War. In a telephone interview Thursday, Van Meeteren said he has heard from veterans who have lost jobs and been replaced with undocumented immigrants.”We can’t be Mexico’s social welfare program forever,” Van Meeteren said. “It’s getting out of hand.”

Opinions are mixed, but some veterans are upset.

Comments in the blog post are mixed, but it appears many veterans are upset that their contributions are not going for their intended purpose:
“As a former Marine…Lets not forget that we are Americans and that our way of life is fair and just and compassionate.  Not arbitrary and one-sided.  I will never support ACVOW again.”

“Mr. Van Meeteren has broken the law !  His veterens (sic) group has given money to an indvidual ( he payed her fine with donations) and now his veterens (sic) group, should lose its not for profit status…”

Though some agree with the veteran’s actions:
“I guess us Veterans have more appreciation for our country than non-veterans expecially (sic) Illegal Aliens and those who shirtail into our country attached to anchor babies.”

It is worth noting that for most grants given to nonprofit organizations, using donations for political purposes is a violation of the terms of the grant. Likewise, if ACVOW did use any of its funds for political purposes as suggested in the Salt Lake Tribune article, it would most likely violate the conditions of their 501(c)(3) status as a nonprofit organization.

ACVOW is a San Diego area veterans group that operates almost entirely on grants and contributions to help veterans obtain their veterans’ benefits.  It also tries to help veterans and active duty personnel with PTSD, though the effectiveness of these programs are uncertain due to lack of performance records.

A search in Charity Navigator, which rates charities based on the efficiency and effectiveness of their programs as well as financial accountability, produced no results for ACVOW.  The Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund, for example, has a Five Star rating with Charity Navigator.  The Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund is also located in the San Diego area and is considered a model organization for helping Marines.  Likewise, a search in the Better Business Bureau’s charity index also produced no results for ACVOW.

Both the Salt Lake Tribune report and recent legal difficulties (ACVOW received a judgement in small claims court for refusing to meet financial obligations)have raised concerns over the group’s accountability practices.  Concerned citizens can contact the La Jolla VA Medical Clinic at (858) 552-8585 for more information on veterans’ groups.