Whatley Campaign Receives Donations Linked to Controversial Veterans Company
Michael Whatley, a candidate in the upcoming U.S. Senate race, has reportedly accepted over $40,000 in contributions from individuals connected to Veterans Guardian, a company accused of exploiting veterans.
The Pinehurst-based company, Veterans Guardian, claims to assist veterans with filing disability claims and optimizing their health care benefits. However, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has labeled it a “claims shark,” criticizing its practice of charging veterans high fees for services that should be free.
Scott Greenblatt and Bill Taylor, who lead Veterans Guardian, each contributed $7,000 to Whatley’s campaign in the last quarter. Additionally, they each donated $10,000 to a political action committee supporting Whatley.
Further donations to Whatley’s campaign include $2,000 from Brian Johnson, the firm’s executive vice president, and $6,930 from Patricia Taylor, a company advisor.
In 2019, the VA issued a cease-and-desist letter to Veterans Guardian, stating the company was legally barred from aiding veterans in their VA benefits claims. Despite this, Veterans Guardian did not amend its business practices.
In a 2022 congressional subcommittee hearing on companies labeled as claims sharks, Taylor asserted that Veterans Guardian had never received such a letter from the VA. This claim led to a public reprimand from Congress for withholding information.
The same year, the American Legion issued a warning to veterans about Veterans Guardian, describing the company as “predatory” and likening it to “a pack of vultures.”
Further scrutiny came from a whistleblower lawsuit filed by a former employee, alleging the company encouraged clients to exaggerate their conditions and appear disheveled during VA meetings to improve their chances of receiving benefits. The lawsuit remains unresolved.
Greenblatt and Taylor also organized a fundraiser for Whatley in September, with ticket prices ranging from $250 to $14,000.
Whatley seeks to succeed Republican Senator Thom Tillis in the 2026 election, with former Governor Roy Cooper projected to be his Democratic opponent.
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