INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) - On the front lines, many U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan suffered severe casualties, both physical and psychological.
Legitimate private groups formed to help build homes for wounded veterans and help them with food and other needs. Even give them a day at the gun range or a day on the diamond playing softball.
It's therapy for warriors who came home wounded.
But federal prosecutors say not every group put veterans first.
United States Attorney Josh Minkler of the Southern District of Indiana announced the indictments of four suspects in southern Indiana for alleged fraud. The suspects were all arrested without incident.
Prosecutors say they created the "Wounded Warrior Fund" and the "Wounded Warrior Foundation, Inc.," allegedly collecting $125,000 in donations from Hoosiers and others concerned about veterans.
But investigators say the four suspects spent that money on themselves.
"You can't get around this, these defendants stole from disabled veterans. There are some despicable fraud schemes out there. But you can't get much lower than this," Minkler said.
According to court papers, the suspects used the cash at a casino, smoke shop, Redbox video rentals, a liquor store and for medical supplies and gift cards.
Prosecutorss say they misled donors into thinking they were with the nationally known group "Wounded Warrior Project."
At VFW Post 2839 on the west side of Indianapolis Friday, the kitchen was serving up dinner and Commander Roscoe Henderson was serving up outrage.
"They're stealing from the wounded warriors and they're stealing from the veterans that the Wounded Warriors (Project) help," Henderson said.
Benjamin Hermus, who served in Afghanistan, said the scams hurt all veterans.
"I just encourage people to do their research when they're donating to any charities in the future," he said.