Roger Chapin is an American businessman turned fundraiser living in San Diego, who calls himself a "nonprofit entrepreneur", according to Forbes magazine.
"[1] The New York Times has labelled two of the organizations he founded, Help Hospitalized Veterans and Coalition to Salute America's Heroes as being " among a dozen military-related charities given a grade of F in a study last December by the American Institute of Philanthropy, a nonprofit watchdog group.
"[6] On September 3, 2007, a Forbes magazine article by William P. Barrett titled "Shell Game" reported that Chapin and his wife Elizabeth are accused of spending the money raised by their non-profit organizations to fund their own lifestyles, vehicles, and real estate investments—rather than to benefit troops or wounded veterans at the 97% efficiency rate that the charity claims.
[1] On November 9, 2007, ABC News reported that Chapin and his wife, as founders and employees of the charitable organization, Help Hospitalized Veterans, paid themselves more than half a million dollars a year in salary.
According to AIP, “After enjoying years of generous, multiple six-figure salaries and perks paid with the charity's funds, such as use of a $444,600 condo in northern Virginia owned by HHV, access to a $17,000 country club membership, and large reimbursements for hotel, restaurant, and other expenses, Chapin's retirement from HHV was marked by a $1.9 million payout to the exiting president.”[9] After the Washington Times commentary ran in March 2009, Forbes found that Chapin's new foundation had been incorporated in 2008 and granted IRS 501(c)3 non-profit status in 2009.
Looking at Chapin's own financial gain and management position, Forbes found he "received total compensation of $364,000 from [HHV] but reported drawing no pay from the other organizations.
Also: In August 2012 the California Attorney General's office sued HHV, saying that Chapin and his successor, Michael Lynch, "grossly overpaid" and approved lavish perks for themselves from donated funds.