United States Navy Veterans Association

Bachmann to give away funds donated by ‘fraudulent’ vets charity

By Paul Schmelzer | 07.29.10 | 1:23 pm

Rep. Michele Bachmann now says she’ll give away a contribution from the United States Navy Veterans Association (USNVA), a group charged with funneling funds intended for vets to GOP candidates and state parties. At least $35,000 of the now-defunct group’s funds came to Minnesota Republicans, including Bachmann, former Sen. Norm Coleman and the state GOP. Bachmann’s campaign told the Star Tribune today that she’ll be giving away $4,800 from the group.

‘Fraudulent’ vets charity raised big money in Minnesota

By Andy Birkey | 07.21.10 | 8:49 am

The U.S. Navy Veterans Association (USNVA), an organization that is under investigation in a half dozen states, raised $870,695 in Minnesota over the last four years, tax records show. The group’s leader, Bobby Thompson, is in hiding after the St. Petersburg Times reported that the group, which likely only consisted of Thompson, funneled money to Republican candidates across the country, including in Minnesota. Though the group lists hundreds of thousands of dollars in direct support to veterans, no veterans groups contacted by the Minnesota Independent had any knowledge of USNVA.

Bachmann ‘freezes’ Navy Vets donation amid fraud accusations

By Andy Birkey | 07.20.10 | 8:36 am

he Pioneer Press reports that the campaign of Rep. Michele Bachmann is freezing funds donated by Bobby Thompson, the founder of the United States Navy Veterans Association, a group that’s under investigation in a half dozen states. Authorities believe that Thompson may have funneled donations intended for veterans to Republican candidates around the country.

‘Fraudulent’ vets charity plagiarized letter to Minnesota schoolkids

By Andy Birkey | 07.15.10 | 3:02 pm

The United States Navy Veterans Association, a nonprofit veterans group, has come under fire in a half dozen states for allegedly using donations to fund Republican candidates and committees, including many in Minnesota. But the group has also plagiarized the work of American troops and school children in a supposed attempt to gain legitimacy.

Vets charity allegedly funneled donations to Minn. Republicans

By Andy Birkey | 07.15.10 | 12:13 pm

A charity under investigation in five states has deep ties to Minnesota, from substantial contributions to state Republicans like former Sen. Norm Coleman and Rep. Michele Bachmann to its employment of a Minnesota lobbyist and a recently closed St. Paul operation. Officials in other states are calling the United States Navy Veterans Association (USNVA) a fraudulent charity, and its founder and sole organizer, Bobby Thompson, has disappeared in the wake of investigations alleging the group diverted charitable donations intended for military veterans to Republican candidates and political action committees.