Amid the heated political climate, the financial ties of Michael Whatley’s U.S. Senate campaign have come under scrutiny, notably due to substantial contributions from individuals linked to a controversial veterans’ services firm.
The campaign reportedly received over $40,000 from donors associated with Veterans Guardian, a Pinehurst-based company that purports to assist veterans in filing disability claims and enhancing their healthcare benefits.
Despite its claims, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has labeled Veterans Guardian a “claims shark,” accusing it of imposing excessive fees for services that veterans can obtain at no cost.
Scott Greenblatt and Bill Taylor, who head the firm, each contributed $7,000 to Whatley’s campaign in the last quarter. Additionally, they each donated $10,000 to a political action committee backing Whatley.
Further contributions included $2,000 from Brian Johnson, the company’s executive vice president, and $6,930 from Patricia Taylor, a company advisor.
In a notable move, the VA issued a cease-and-desist letter to Veterans Guardian in 2019, stating that the company is legally barred from assisting veterans in the preparation and presentation of their VA benefits claims. However, the firm reportedly continued its operations unchanged.
In testimony before a U.S. House subcommittee in 2022, Bill Taylor claimed his company had not received such a directive, leading to a public reprimand from Congress for withholding information.
The American Legion has also cautioned veterans against engaging with the company, describing it as “predatory” and likening it to “a pack of vultures.”
Adding to the controversies, Veterans Guardian is embroiled in a whistleblower lawsuit filed by a former employee. The lawsuit alleges that the company advised clients to exaggerate their symptoms and present themselves poorly during VA meetings to increase the likelihood of receiving benefits. This legal battle is currently ongoing.
In September, Greenblatt and Taylor co-hosted a fundraiser for Whatley, with ticket prices ranging from $250 to $14,000.
Michael Whatley is campaigning to succeed Republican Sen. Thom Tillis in the upcoming 2026 election, with former Gov. Roy Cooper anticipated as his primary Democratic challenger.
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