Former Student Details Horrific Abuse in Lawsuit
A former student of the Family Foundation School, a New York-based boarding school that ceased operations in 2014, has filed a lawsuit detailing a series of severe abuses. The plaintiff alleges that students endured strip searches, were forced to dig their own graves, and were compelled to ingest their own vomit.
The private boarding school, which previously charged families up to $80,000 annually, was situated in Hancock, New York. The $10 million lawsuit claims that some students were tightly wrapped in rugs and secured with duct tape. The plaintiff also alleges repeated sexual abuse during their attendance.
Allegations of Sexual Abuse and Neglect
The former student, who attended the Family Foundation School between 2000 and 2003, reported that children were subjected to strip searches upon arrival and forced to participate in “sexualized group sessions” led by teachers. The lawsuit further contends that students attempting to escape were apprehended by K9 units and returned to the school.
The plaintiff identified music teacher Paul Geer as their supervisor and stated they were compelled to join the choir. During a choir trip to Toronto, Geer allegedly committed sexual abuse against the plaintiff. When this abuse was reported to school owner Mike Argiros, the complaint was reportedly disregarded, and the plaintiff was assigned “work punishment.” The victim testified against Geer in a 2024 federal criminal trial, which resulted in Geer receiving a 27-year prison sentence.
Forced Labor and Unqualified Staff
The lawsuit filed against Michael and Cindy Argiros also includes allegations of students being utilized as unpaid labor. These tasks reportedly involved digging trenches, shoveling snow, cleaning pigsties and animal shelters on the family’s property, and performing construction work at their private residence. The former student further claims that children were made to prepare meals and clean the family’s home.
The plaintiff alleges that the school misrepresented its services to families, encouraging enrollment and even persuading some parents to transfer legal guardianship of their children to the school owners. According to court documents, the school was managed by staff who lacked professional teaching, counseling, or clinical qualifications. The filing controversially states the “school was run by former alcoholics and self-proclaimed sex addicts with no professional licenses, clinical training, or educational credentials.”
School owner Argiros has denied any knowledge of abuse occurring within the institution. In sworn testimony, he stated that he was unaware of any complaints or reports of abuse during the school’s operational period.
