Welcome to Veterans Justice Project, a platform dedicated to advocating for the rights and dignity of our nation's veterans. Our mission is to raise awareness about the unique struggles faced by veterans, whether it be in the form of homelessness, criminal defense, or navigating the mental health system.


With growing recognition of PTSD and other service-connected conditions, we strive to bring these issues to the forefront of legal and social reform. Our goal is to ensure that no veteran faces the challenges of reintegration alone and that predatory agencies capitilyzing on the exploitation of veterans will be exposed and held accountable.


At Veterans Justice Project, we understand the sacrifice our veterans have made. Our commitment is to empower and uplift them, advocating for their rights, mental health support, and fair treatment within the homeless and criminal justice system.

Errant Email Exposes End Veteran Debt Founder Bankruptcy and Collections

By Timothy Pena • October 30, 2025
New York, NY -- A nonprofit dedicated to ending veteran debt is scaling back fundraising after its founder, Jerry Ashton, inadvertently sent an email admitting to bankruptcy and years of unfiled taxes to Timothy Pena , a veteran advocate and fellow journalist. The misdirected email has not only shaken the credibility of End Veteran Debt (EVD) —a charity Ashton launched in 2024—but has also exposed internal fractures within its partnership with Staten Island’s Performing Provider System (SI PPS) and its director, Michael Matthews . The October 24, 2025 email, intended for Ashton’s attorney, described a tense call with the Long Island law firm Smith Carroad Wan & Parikh over unpaid debts tied to Ashton’s failed media venture, Let’s Rethink This . In it, Ashton admitted he was “in the process of filing for bankruptcy” and catching up on “three years of tax filings.” He added that his own attorney had apparently dropped him as a client before asking, “What next, coach?” — believing Pena to be his lawyer. For Pena, the accidental disclosure confirmed what he had long suspected: that EVD’s leadership lacked the transparency and accountability expected of a veteran-serving nonprofit. Ashton’s bankruptcy revelation came just weeks after Pena was barred from the Staten Island Military and Veterans Families (SMVF) Taskforce meeting, which Matthews oversees. Pena had objected to a proposed collaboration between EVD and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) . In a September 29 letter to AFSP, Pena warned that Ashton had ridiculed his service-connected PTSD and excluded him from a suicide prevention summit at Fordham University despite confirming him as a panelist. “Veteran suicide is not something to exploit to promote a funding scheme,” Pena wrote. “Vulnerable veterans place dependency on organizations like these in different ways—and Jerry doesn’t realize that.” The Fordham event, Righting Veteran Wrongs, Ending Veteran Suicide , was heavily promoted through SI PPS newsletters and emails. The partnership touted a goal of forgiving $1 million in veteran debt through EVD’s “Operation Debt-Day” campaign. Ashton, a Navy veteran and former co-founder of RIP Medical Debt , was spotlighted as a national whistleblower and reformer. The Staten Island campaign promised to raise $15,000 locally to “support the Staten Island Veteran and Active Duty Community”. But Pena, also a member of Military Veterans in Journalism (MVJ) like Ashton, began questioning how the organization would actually identify and assist indebted veterans. In a series of emails, he pressed Matthews for answers about EVD’s debt-purchasing practices. Matthews responded that EVD worked with ForgiveCo , a for-profit intermediary that buys and retires debt in bulk, and acknowledged that “the VA debt actually is not available for purchase.” He further conceded that EVD “cannot forgive individual debt” and that the organization does not even know who benefits until after portfolios are purchased. For Pena, this was proof of a misleading public message. “End Veteran Debt gives the impression that you can have my debt forgiven, which is not the case,” he wrote to Matthews. “This is more about purchasing VA debt and less about the regular veteran whose credit score is in the toilet”.

Donations Diverted: City Faces Scrutiny Over Borden Avenue Veterans Residence

By Timothy Pena • October 26, 2025
New York, NY -- The Borden Avenue Veterans Residence (BAVR) in Long Island City has long been billed as New York City’s only federally funded transitional program for homeless veterans. Yet recent controversies show that while community generosity flows in, those donations are often diverted, restricted, or never reach the veterans they were intended for. The issue came to light again this year as Council Member Robert Holden, chair of the City Council’s Committee on Veterans, recounted how donations he and the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 32 had collected—valued at nearly $10,000 in coats, gloves, socks, and jackets—were delivered to the shelter. But while the goods were allowed in, the donors themselves were told they could not distribute them unless they signed disclaimers, which functioned like non-disclosure agreements (NDAs). The VVA veterans refused, saying it was insulting to require secrecy just to hand out socks, and they were prevented from entering. Holden signed the NDA himself, gaining entry but effectively silencing himself from disclosing any abuses or unsafe conditions he may have observed inside. For veterans and advocates, this decision was not just accommodation but complicity—especially since Holden had already been made aware of problems at Borden Avenue long before the January 2025 hearing where he raised his objections. “This is disturbing,” Holden said at that hearing. “DHS is circling the wagons.” Despite the remarks, he has not followed up with subpoenas, oversight hearings, or action. Veterans who appealed to him for help have fallen on deaf ears. This is an issue has infected the entirety of the Committee on Veterans. And with Holden now at the end of his term limits on the City Council, it is doubtful that little will be accomplished before he leaves office.

Veteran Debt and Suicide Risk: Broadening the Scope

By Timothy Pena • October 23, 2025
Introduction Veteran suicide remains a national emergency, with rates significantly higher than those of civilians. In 2022 alone, there were 6,407 veteran suicide deaths in the United States, underscoring the scale of the crisis. Mental health conditions such as PTSD and depression are major contributors, but financial instability is increasingly recognized as a critical risk factor. Debt—whether from consumer credit, medical costs, housing arrears, court fines, educational loans, or obligations owed to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)—magnifies stress and despair. Addressing these debts is therefore not only an economic issue but a matter of suicide prevention. ________________________________________ Consumer and Credit Debt Many veterans fall into consumer debt after separation from service, often through credit cards, personal loans, or payday lenders. Steady disability or pension payments can make veterans targets for predatory financial products. When these debts grow unmanageable, they generate shame and anxiety that compound mental health struggles. Nationally, financial stress is a known factor in suicide: 16 percent of U.S. suicide deaths involved financial or job-related problems. ________________________________________ Medical Debt Despite VA health coverage, gaps in eligibility, delays in enrollment, and treatment sought outside the VA leave many veterans burdened with private medical bills. Emergency care and uncovered prescriptions can quickly create significant debt. Nonprofits like RIP Medical Debt have canceled millions in veteran medical obligations, highlighting how widespread the problem is. ________________________________________ Housing and Rent Debt Housing insecurity remains one of the strongest predictors of crisis. Veterans often face delayed HUD-VASH vouchers, a lack of affordable housing, and high urban rents. Falling behind on rent leads to arrears and eviction, while homelessness itself elevates suicide risk. Among veterans unable to cover basic needs such as food, shelter, or transportation, 22 percent reported suicidal thoughts within a year, compared with only 7 percent of financially stable veterans. ________________________________________ Court Fines and Legal Fees Legal system debt is often hidden but destructive. Court fines, probation fees, and traffic violations escalate with penalties, leading to suspended licenses that block employment and care access. For veterans with PTSD or substance use disorders, even small fines can snowball into major crises. Studies show that veterans with legal financial obligations have more than double the odds of suicidal behavior, while people facing multiple financial strains are up to 20 times more likely to attempt suicide than those without such burdens. ________________________________________ Educational Debt The Post-9/11 GI Bill has reduced educational costs for many, but veterans still encounter gaps. Those who exhaust their benefits, attend non-accredited institutions, or take on loans for dependents often accumulate debt. Credit transfer issues and hidden fees compound the problem, creating unexpected financial instability during reintegration. ________________________________________ Debt to Veterans Affairs An often-overlooked burden is debt owed directly to the VA. Veterans may be billed for overpayments of disability benefits, pension adjustments, or GI Bill housing stipends. These debts often result from administrative errors or delays in processing, yet the VA’s Debt Management Center aggressively pursues repayment. Veterans sometimes receive sudden notifications of thousands of dollars owed, years after benefits were issued. For those already vulnerable, being pursued by the very agency charged with their care deepens mistrust and despair. ________________________________________ Suicide Risk and the Weight of Debt The connection between debt and suicide among veterans is clear. In addition to the 16 percent of suicide deaths nationally linked to financial or job problems, a study of active-duty service members found that 23 percent in suicidal crisis reported financial stress within the 24 hours prior to their episode. Financial instability is not an isolated hardship; it interacts with PTSD, depression, and social isolation to create a lethal environment. ________________________________________ Policy Recommendations Transparency and Fairness: VA debt should be resolved with compassion and clarity, ensuring veterans are not penalized for administrative errors. Targeted Debt Relief: Programs should focus on veterans most at risk—those with disabilities, homelessness, or court entanglements. Treatment Court Expansion: Courts should be empowered to waive or convert fines into treatment, training, or community service. Debt Buy-Back Programs: Nonprofits and governments can partner to purchase and cancel veteran debts, including court and municipal fines. Integrated Counseling: Financial literacy and counseling should be embedded into VA and community mental health programs. Honest Communication: Policymakers must avoid vague promises of “ending veteran debt,” which risk creating false hope. Programs should specify scope, timelines, and eligibility. ________________________________________ Conclusion Debt—whether owed to banks, landlords, courts, schools, or even the VA—is more than a financial strain. It is a measurable driver of suicide risk. Veterans burdened by debt are significantly more likely to experience suicidal ideation, with figures showing risks three times higher for those unable to meet basic needs and up to twenty-fold higher for those under multiple financial strains. Real solutions demand more than rhetoric. By addressing debt directly, transparently, and compassionately, society can reduce suicide risk, restore dignity, and honor the nation’s obligation to its veterans. ________________________________________ References • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS): Suicide circumstances. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/datasources/nvdrs • Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention. (2024). 2024 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/suicide_prevention/data.asp • Duke University Health System. (2021, October 21). Financial strains significantly raise risk of suicide attempts. https://corporate.dukehealth.org/news/financial-strains-significantly-raise-risk-suicide-attempts • Monteith, L. L., Holliday, R., & Bahraini, N. H. (2023). Financial strain and suicide risk among U.S. veterans: The role of unmet basic needs. Psychiatric Services, 74(2), 198–205. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.202200067 • Reger, M. A., Smolenski, D. J., & Skopp, N. A. (2015). Risk of suicide among U.S. military service members following Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom deployment and separation from the U.S. military. JAMA Psychiatry, 72(6), 561–569. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2014.3195 Printable pdf: Veteran Debt and Suicide Risk: Broadening the Scope (4 pages) Printable pdf: Table: Veteran Debt Categories, Suicide Risk, and Policy Responses (1 page)

The Intersection of Debt, Court Fines, and Suicide Risk Among U.S. Veterans

By Timothy Pena • October 17, 2025
Introduction Veterans of the United States Armed Forces continue to experience disproportionately high rates of suicide compared to the civilian population. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has consistently identified suicide prevention as its top clinical priority. While mental health factors such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and substance use are well established, there is growing recognition of the role of financial instability as a compounding driver of risk. Debt—whether from consumer loans, medical expenses, or legal system fines—has become a significant but under-discussed determinant of veterans’ well-being. This report examines how debt contributes to suicide risk among veterans, with a focus on court fines and fees, and evaluates the potential consequences of unclear or overly broad promises of debt cancellation. The report concludes with targeted recommendations for policymakers, advocates, and service providers. ________________________________________ Suicide and Financial Stress: A Documented Connection National suicide data confirm that financial stress is a measurable risk factor for self-harm. A CDC-linked analysis revealed that 16 percent of individuals who died by suicide in the U.S. were facing documented financial or job-related problems. For veterans, the link is even stronger. Service Members in Crisis: One study found that 23 percent of active-duty soldiers in suicidal crisis had experienced a financial stressor within the 24 hours prior to their crisis. Veterans in Financial Hardship: Among veterans who lacked the money to cover basic needs such as food, shelter, clothing, or transportation, 22 percent reported suicidal thoughts within a year, compared to 7 percent of veterans with financial stability. Compounded Risk: Research outside the veteran population has shown that individuals facing multiple financial stressors are up to 20 times more likely to attempt suicide compared with peers facing none. The conclusion is clear: debt and financial instability are not only economic hardships, they are suicide risk factors that must be treated as central components of prevention strategies. ________________________________________ The Overlooked Burden of Court Fees and Legal Debt Most public discussions of veteran debt focus on credit card balances, payday loans, or medical expenses. However, court-related fines and fees are a hidden but critical source of financial instability. Veterans may accumulate legal debt from traffic violations, probation supervision charges, or municipal penalties. These costs can quickly escalate through late fees and enforcement actions. For veterans already struggling with PTSD, substance use, or homelessness, even a minor citation can snowball into unmanageable debt. License suspensions caused by unpaid fines prevent veterans from commuting to work or attending medical appointments, perpetuating unemployment and instability. Unlike consumer debt, these legal obligations are rarely dischargeable in bankruptcy. Analysis of veterans’ health records underscores the risk. Legal problems have been identified as one of the most significant social determinants of suicide, with odds of suicidal behavior more than doubling among veterans facing legal debt. For those already vulnerable, legal financial obligations serve as both a financial and psychological trap. ________________________________________ The Risks of Unclear Promises of Debt Cancellation In recent years, political leaders at federal and state levels have floated proposals to “end veteran debt.” While such pledges attract attention and generate public goodwill, they often lack specificity regarding scope, eligibility, and implementation timelines. For veterans already under financial strain, these vague assurances present risk. 1. False Hope Veterans may delay seeking financial counseling, negotiating with creditors, or addressing overdue court fees if they believe widespread relief is imminent. 2. Erosion of Trust If promised relief is delayed, underfunded, or restricted to certain debt categories, veterans who counted on assistance may feel betrayed, worsening stress and mistrust of institutions. 3. Uneven Outcomes Veterans with the greatest need—those burdened by court fines, probation costs, or informal debts—may discover they are excluded from forgiveness programs that focus narrowly on consumer loans or medical bills. 4. Discouragement from Immediate Action By fostering reliance on possible future relief, broad promises can discourage veterans from pursuing immediate, pragmatic interventions that could stabilize their situation today. For veterans experiencing both financial hardship and suicidal ideation, the psychological cost of dashed expectations is substantial and potentially life-threatening. ________________________________________ Policy and Programmatic Solutions 1. Targeted Debt Relief Debt cancellation should focus first on veterans most at risk of suicide. This includes those with service-connected disabilities, those experiencing homelessness, and those entangled in the criminal justice system. Relief programs should prioritize court fees and fines alongside medical debt and predatory loans. 2. Veteran Treatment Courts and Amnesty Programs Expansion of veteran treatment courts can provide alternatives to financial penalties by converting fines into community service, vocational training, or mandatory treatment programs. Municipalities should also establish veteran-specific amnesty periods for unpaid fines and fees. 3. Debt Buy-Back Initiatives Nonprofits have successfully purchased and canceled medical debt at pennies on the dollar. Similar models could be piloted for municipal fines or probation fees, reducing financial strain while strengthening community partnerships. 4. Integrated Financial and Mental Health Services Debt cannot be addressed in isolation from mental health. VA facilities and community partners should embed financial counseling, benefits navigation, and legal aid into existing suicide prevention programs. Veterans receiving debt relief should be simultaneously offered peer support and mental health resources. 5. Honest Communication Perhaps most importantly, policymakers must be transparent about what debt relief programs can and cannot deliver. Clear communication prevents false hope, sets realistic expectations, and preserves trust. Messaging should emphasize immediate resources available to veterans today, even as broader reforms are pursued. ________________________________________ Conclusion Suicide among veterans is a multifactorial crisis, and financial stress plays a central role in increasing risk. Studies demonstrate that veterans facing financial hardship are significantly more likely to experience suicidal ideation, and legal debt compounds the problem by creating barriers to employment, transportation, and stability. While proposals to erase veteran debt are well-intentioned, broad promises without clarity or scope can inadvertently deepen despair. Veterans should not be left waiting for sweeping solutions that may never fully materialize. Instead, policies must deliver targeted relief, prioritize those most at risk, and integrate financial support with mental health care. Debt relief for veterans—especially for legal-system debts that block stability—is more than an economic reform. It is a suicide prevention strategy and a moral obligation. By addressing both the material and psychological weight of debt, society can reduce risk, restore dignity, and begin to honor the nation’s commitment to those who have served. ________________________________________ References Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS): Suicide circumstances. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/datasources/nvdrs Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention. (2024). 2024 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/suicide_prevention/data.asp Duke University Health System. (2021, October 21). Financial strains significantly raise risk of suicide attempts. https://corporate.dukehealth.org/news/financial-strains-significantly-raise-risk-suicide-attempts Hendin, H., & Haas, A. P. (1991). Suicide and guilt as manifestations of PTSD in Vietnam combat veterans. American Journal of Psychiatry, 148(5), 586–591. https://doi.org/10.1176/ajp.148.5.586 Monteith, L. L., Holliday, R., & Bahraini, N. H. (2023). Financial strain and suicide risk among U.S. veterans: The role of unmet basic needs. Psychiatric Services, 74(2), 198–205. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.202200067 Reger, M. A., Smolenski, D. J., & Skopp, N. A. (2015). Risk of suicide among U.S. military service members following Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom deployment and separation from the U.S. military. JAMA Psychiatry, 72(6), 561–569. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2014.3195 Printable Executive Summary (1 page) Printable Report (4 pages)
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