Former Student Details Horrific Abuse in Lawsuit
A former student of the Family Foundation School, a New York-based boarding school that closed in 2014, has filed a lawsuit detailing a litany of horrifying abuses. The plaintiff alleges that students were subjected to strip searches, forced to dig their own graves, and even compelled to consume their own vomit.
According to the NY Post, this private boarding school, once charging families up to $80,000 annually, was located in Hancock, New York. The $10 million lawsuit claims that some students were tightly wrapped in rugs and bound with duct tape. The plaintiff also alleges repeated sexual abuse during their time at the school.
Allegations of Sexual Abuse and Neglect
The former student, who attended the Family Foundation School between 2000 and 2003, stated that children were strip-searched upon arrival and forced to participate in “sexualized group sessions” involving teachers. The lawsuit further claims that students who attempted to escape were tracked down by K9 dogs and brought back.
The plaintiff identifies music teacher Paul Geer as their supervisor and states they were forced to join the choir. During a choir trip to Toronto, Geer allegedly sexually abused the plaintiff. When this abuse was reported to school owner Mike Argiros, the complaint was reportedly ignored, and the plaintiff was given “work punishment.” The victim testified against Geer in a 2024 federal criminal trial, leading to Geer’s 27-year prison sentence.
Forced Labor and Unqualified Staff
The lawsuit against Michael and Cindy Argiros also highlights allegations of students being used as unpaid laborers. These tasks reportedly included 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 children were made to cook meals and clean the family’s home.
The plaintiff alleges that the school misled families into enrolling their children and even persuaded some parents to transfer legal guardianship of their children to the school owners. According to court documents, the school was managed by staff lacking professional teaching, counseling, or clinical qualifications. The filing controversially claims 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 within the institution. As reported by The New York Times, he stated in sworn testimony that he was unaware of any complaints or reports of abuse while the school was operational.
