2024 WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT SCANDAL ADDS TO GROWING LIST OVER THE YEARS
You don’t have to have heavy involvement in the military community to have heard of the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP). One of the most recognizable nonprofit names supporting the military has various campaigns to advocate and support our nation’s heroes. However, there has been some confusion throughout the years with another scandal potentially brewing. Here’s what you need to know about the latest potential Wounded Warrior Project scandal.
What Was the Wounded Warrior Project Scandal?
Since 2003, the WWP has been helping Veterans in too many ways to simply list, yet, the 2015-2016 Wounded Warrior Project scandal almost derailed the initiative. There are reports of the WWP forcing other charities through lawsuits to avoid using phrasing and logos. During this time, many were questioning the organization’s leadership and spending habits. Several notable news outlets reported these incidents while some also reported WWP selling the information provided by donors to third parties all while compensating leaders a pretty penny. Making matters worse, the Wounded Warrior Project scandal in 2016 also saw employees turn into whistleblowers about the use of funds on employees rather than supporting the programs that help Veterans as they should. Eventually, the organization was seen firing and replacing leaders. Officials were soon putting tougher practices into place to make sure they met the standards of the WWP. However, less than a decade later, the WWP is facing a lawsuit from a former employee who worked at the organization from August 2021 to January 2024 based on discrimination and retaliation.
More Negative Press for the WWP
Christy Montoto was employed by the WWP. She is claiming wrongful termination by the nonprofit because of her disability. This was after a cancer diagnosis. Thus, healthcare became necessary to treat the disease. Montoto worked by representing service members and Veterans who submitted disability claims with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Leading up to her lawsuit, between November 2023 and January 2024, Montoto submitted three complaints with Equal Employment Opportunity claiming WWP discriminated against her because of her age, disability, and sex. Alleged by Montoto is that the WWP was retaliating against her for exercising her rights. In February 2024, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission granted her a right-to-sue letter. Retaliation to employees who are fired because they need such treatment is prohibited under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Wounded Warrior Project Spokesman Jon Blauvelt declined to comment on the emerging legal matter.
Questions Remain on How the Group Overcomes the Latest Possible Wounded Warrior Project Scandal
The potential Wounded Warrior Project scandal began in 2021 and 2022 with cancer diagnoses Montoto received and reported to management. Being immunocompromised, the WWP gave a temporary allowance for remote work. During her evaluations, Montoto received positive marks and feedback. Sadly, she believed her cancer returned in 2023 and began seeking treatment with permission from her employer. During this time they were also opening up an investigation, ultimately issuing her a write up. Several similar incidents occurred, including the accidental use of a company credit card, which she repaid, leading to conflicts with the organization. For the record, Montoto’s male coworker accidentally used a company card in a similar fashion. He didn’t face the same consequences she did. Receiving great marks for customer satisfaction (100%) and a high-quality assurance score (97%), Montoto curiously received a poor performance evaluation months after her first write-up. The legal process is still in very early stages but this is yet another unflattering look for the WWP. If it doesn’t take much to recognize the nonprofit. In fact, it takes even less to understand a potential Wounded Warrior Project scandal centering around discrimination due to disabilities, age, and sex will draw attention from many sides.
Image Source: Wounded Warrior Project
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