Allegations of Abuse at New York Boarding School

A chilling account has emerged from a boarding school in upstate New York, where troubled children reportedly endured severe mistreatment. Survivors allege they were strip-searched, confined to closets, and even compelled to dig their own graves. Concerns have been raised about local authorities seemingly overlooking the abusive practices of the school’s affluent owners.

In legal documents submitted by former students of the now-closed Family Foundation School, they describe harrowing experiences at the facility, which charged around $80,000 a year and is located in Hancock, a small village about an hour east of Binghamton.

Survivors claimed they were “trapped” by being bound with duct tape to rolled rugs. Disturbingly, they were reportedly forced to consume their own vomit and even dig graves for themselves. A $10 million lawsuit, filed in Brooklyn federal court by a former student, alleges that students were held in closets for days without food, water, or access to toilets, and faced physical abuse.

Upon arrival, students were reportedly strip-searched and made to participate in “sexual group sessions” with teachers. The lawsuit suggests that they were required to perform labor for the direct financial benefit of the Argyros family, the school’s owners.

The required work included digging trenches on the Argyros’ property, cleaning waste from pig pens, and shoveling snow around the farm. Moreover, the children were mandated to prepare meals for their families and maintain household chores. Survivors expressed belief that local authorities ignored these reportings, swayed by the influence of Michael and Cindy Argyros, who are well-established in the community with multiple properties and businesses.

One former student, who divided his time between his parents’ homes, attended the Family Foundation School from 2000 to 2003. He ended up under the supervision of music teacher Paul Geer, whom he says pressured him into joining the choir.

Another victim recounted being taken to Toronto as a choir participant, where she alleges she was sexually abused by Geer. Having testified against him in a federal trial in 2024, she claimed she reported this abuse to Mike Argyros but was ignored and faced “labor sanctions” as a result.

Geer was later convicted of child sexual abuse and sentenced to 27 years in federal prison in September.

Victims assert that the school misled families into relinquishing legal guardianship over their children to the Argyros family. Moreover, it is claimed that the facility was managed by “former alcoholics and self-proclaimed sex addicts” lacking any professional qualifications or training.

In their lawsuit against the Argyros family, local police, and more, victims mentioned that K9 dogs were employed to track down and forcibly return children who attempted to escape the school.

Michael Argyros has stated in an affidavit that he was unaware of any reports of abuse during his time at the school. Efforts to get comments from village officials and law enforcement, as well as from Mr. Argyros and his attorney, have gone unanswered.