Palm Springs American Legion’s charter suspended; investigation by district officials underway

American Legion Post 519 in Palm Springs has had its charter temporarily suspended, and its executive board was removed following allegations leveled in March that are the subject of an investigation being conducted by the regional branch of the veterans’ service organization.

In a letter dated March 16, viewed by The Post Thursday, American Legion District 21 Commander David Brambila wrote that the charter of Post 519 was being suspended and that its bank accounts and other assets would be under the control of an ad-hoc committee of District 21 leaders. On Tuesday, those district leaders attended the Post 519 executive board meeting and relieved its members of their duties.

“Our mission is to bring Post 519 into compliance with their bylaws, conduct an audit, conduct an investigation and put in place procedures that protect membership and allow for due process,” Brambila explained. “Our goal is to have this done in the next 2-3 months so we can have a fair and balanced election process, and then take Post 519 off suspension.”

While specifics of the investigation were not released, Post 519 members who spoke Thursday evening alluded to issues between past and current leadership at Post 519 that led to complaints filed with the district requiring intervention.

“The previous administration was not adhering to the rules and regulations,” said Amado Salinas, a Post 519 member who fills leadership roles at both the district and national levels. “We are an American Legion post, and we need to run by the rules of The American Legion.”

While the investigation and audits are conducted, there will be no disruption in services and activities for the hundreds of veterans who gather at Post 519’s North Belardo Road location.

---