Scrutiny Of Veterans Charities Continues

Veteran Clifford Perry receives an arts and crafts kit from Mia Leber at a Chicago hospital as part of Help Hospitalized Veterans' efforts. The California-based nonprofit charity reported $71.3 million in donations in the past fiscal year. (Courtesy Of Help Hospitalized Veterans)

The charity also purchased at least nine properties in the past decade in California, where the group has its headquarters, records reviewed by The Post show.

The office of California Attorney General Jerry Brown (D) investigates charities that mismanage their assets, spokesman Gareth Lacy said. Lacy would not say whether Brown's office is investigating Help Hospitalized Veterans, but he said the head of the charities division would testify at today's congressional hearing.

The charity has long had ties to Viguerie. In the past fiscal year, Viguerie's companies received $3.9 million from the charity, according to its filings with the Internal Revenue Service.

Viguerie has been asked to testify at the hearing. Reached at his office in Manassas this week, an assistant said Viguerie would not answer questions from a Post reporter, citing a policy against commenting on clients.

Mike Lynch said Viguerie adds "tremendous value" to the charity's ability to raise money. Lynch added that the charity's finances have met the fundraising standards of the Better Business Bureau, among others.

Staff researcher Meg Smith contributed to this report.