A nonprofit organization based in Chautauqua County that's purported to help disabled veterans is being sued by New York State. Attorney General Letitia James announced Wednesday that she is seeking a court order to dissolve Healing for Heroes -- A Disabled Veteran's Retreat and Wooded Oasis, Inc. following an investigation by her office. Healing for Heroes, located in the Town of Ellery, billed itself as an outdoor retreat for disabled veterans. However, according to James, the organization has hosted only four retreats since its founding in 2024. She adds all of those retreats served only board members and their friends and family, "essentially using the charity to fund their own vacations." Her office's investigation found that Board President Thomas Nelsen and Board Secretary and Treasurer Jennifer Milchanoski-Nelsen rented out the property on Airbnb on at least 32 different occasions in 2024 and 2025, claiming all proceeds would go to their charity. Instead, the couple allegedly kept $33,312.16 in proceeds from the rentals for themselves. James adds that almost half of the nearly $100,000 donated to the organization was spent on property maintenance and improvements, such as a bathroom renovation and a new deck for the property, as well as personal shopping, meals, vehicle repair, and gas expenses for board members.
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