Published Aug 15, 2026, 6:00 AM EDT
Donated funds are claimed to have been spent on property renovations, meals, and vehicle expenses for founders and board members.
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Published Aug 15, 2026, 6:00 AM EDT
A 30-acre wooded property on a lake in western New York opened up as a free retreat where disabled veterans could rest and heal. But the land is claimed to be a private getaway paid for by strangers who thought they were helping veterans. On Aug. 12, Attorney General Letitia James sued the charity, Healing for Heroes, along with the married couple who founded and ran it, Thomas Nelsen and Jennifer Milchanoski-Nelsen, of Bemus Point. The lawsuit alleges the two solicited donations in the name of disabled veterans and then spent much of the money on themselves, renovating a bathroom, building a deck, covering meals and shopping, and maintaining their vehicles. James is asking a court to dissolve the organization and hand what remains of its money to legitimate veterans charities. The Nelsens have not responded to the claims. Military.com reached out for comment but received no response by press time.
