Michael Whatley Campaign Contributions Under Scrutiny
Michael Whatley’s campaign for the U.S. Senate has come under scrutiny after it was revealed that he received over $40,000 in contributions from individuals linked to a company criticized for exploiting veterans.
The donations came from people associated with Veterans Guardian, a Pinehurst-based for-profit business that purports to assist veterans in filing disability claims and maximizing their health benefits. However, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has labeled the company a “claims shark,” accusing it of imposing high fees for services available at no cost to veterans.
Key figures at Veterans Guardian, Scott Greenblatt and Bill Taylor, contributed $7,000 each to Whatley’s campaign last quarter. Additionally, both men donated $10,000 each to a Political Action Committee (PAC) supporting Whatley. Other contributions included $2,000 from Brian Johnson, the company’s executive vice president, and $6,930 from Patricia Taylor, a company advisor.
Allegations and Legal Challenges
In a 2019 development, the VA issued a cease-and-desist letter to Veterans Guardian. The letter stated the company was legally barred from assisting veterans with VA benefits claims. Despite this, the company reportedly did not change its business operations. In a subsequent U.S. House subcommittee hearing, Taylor claimed the company never received such a letter, leading to a public rebuke from Congress.
The American Legion issued a warning to veterans in 2022, describing Veterans Guardian as “predatory” and akin to “a pack of vultures.” The company also faces a whistleblower lawsuit from a former employee who alleges the firm advised clients to exaggerate their conditions and appear disheveled during VA meetings to bolster their claims. This lawsuit is still pending.
Fundraising and Political Implications
In addition to the contributions, Greenblatt and Taylor co-hosted a September fundraiser for Whatley, where ticket prices ranged from $250 to $14,000. Whatley is campaigning to succeed outgoing Republican Senator Thom Tillis in the 2026 election, with former Governor Roy Cooper expected to be his Democratic challenger.
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