That was Mr. Aramony (spelling may be off). The hospital I worked at (for 4.34 per hour) wanted everyone to chip in for United Way. I refused. Then that scandal broke.
I think the Salvation Army has an excellent pass through rate, but I am on board with you from what I have seen in other charities since the United Way problems broke.
I was forced to give the United Way when I was in the USN back in the Seventies. I will never give them a penny. Salvation Army is very good. I give to them every year, and have some personal stories about how worth it they are in a time of crisis.