A former student of the now-closed Family Foundation School in Hancock, New York, has filed a $10 million federal lawsuit alleging sexual abuse, degrading discipline and institutional failures during his time at the boarding school from 2000 to 2003.
The civil complaint reportedly names the school’s former operators, members of the Argiros family, the Village of Hancock, local police authorities and other individuals and entities connected to the institution. The Family Foundation School operated in Hancock from approximately 1992 until it closed in 2014.
Lawsuit Describes Alleged Mistreatment of Students
According to reports on the federal filing, the former student alleges that children at the school were subjected to punitive and degrading practices. The complaint reportedly describes strip searches, confinement in closets, forced labor and other disciplinary measures.
The former student also alleges that some students were made to dig what they were told were their own graves, eat vomit and take part in “sexualized group sessions” involving teachers. The lawsuit further claims that students were assigned work that benefited the school’s operators, including maintenance and labor at private properties.
For survivors, details like these can be difficult to read or revisit. It is important to remember that people may respond to sexual harm, coercion or mistreatment in many different ways. Some may speak about what happened immediately, while others may not feel ready to share their experiences for years or decades.
Claims Include Alleged Failures by Local Authorities
The lawsuit also alleges that local authorities knew or should have known about harmful conditions at the school but failed to intervene. According to the reported complaint, the plaintiff contends that the school’s owners held influence in the small community and that this may have contributed to inaction by officials.
Cases involving schools, youth programs and residential facilities can raise questions beyond the actions of one alleged offender. A civil claim may examine whether an institution had appropriate safety policies, whether warning signs were ignored, how reports were handled and whether staff members or public agencies acted reasonably under the circumstances.
For impacted individuals, understanding those possible issues can be empowering. A survivor may have questions about an institution’s role even when the harm happened years ago or when the alleged offender is no longer employed there.
Former Teacher’s Federal Conviction Provides Separate Context
The new lawsuit arrives after a separate federal criminal case involving former Family Foundation School teacher Paul Geer. In March 2025, a jury found Geer guilty of charges involving coercing and transporting children across state lines for unlawful sexual activity. He was sentenced in September 2025 to 327 months, or more than 27 years, in federal prison.
The U.S. Department of Justice stated that evidence in that criminal case included disciplinary sanctions involving food deprivation, forced consumption of regurgitated food, physical isolation and labor. The Justice Department also stated that Geer used his position of authority to coerce students into traveling with him.
That criminal conviction is separate from the new civil lawsuit. It does not determine the claims against the other defendants named in the new complaint. Still, the conviction adds important context to broader public concerns about alleged misconduct and oversight at the former school.
Rights and Resources for Survivors of School Sexual Abuse
A survivor who experienced sexual harm, coercion or mistreatment at a school, boarding school or youth program may have options. Those options can vary based on the facts of the situation, where the conduct occurred and applicable laws.
Possible next steps may include speaking with a trauma-informed counselor, connecting with survivor support organizations, making a report to law enforcement or a licensing body, or learning whether a civil lawsuit may be available. No one needs to take every step, and survivors remain in control of what support looks like for them.
Civil cases may focus on an alleged offender, but they can also involve institutions that may have hired, supervised or retained staff members. A legal professional can help explain potential options, deadlines and what documentation may be useful.
Get Legal Help and Support From Helping Survivors
If you experienced sexual harm or mistreatment at Family Foundation School, another boarding school, a youth program or another institution, Helping Survivors can help you explore your legal rights.
Our team may be able to connect you with survivor-focused support services and law firms experienced in civil claims involving schools, institutional misconduct and sexual abuse. Contact Helping Survivors today, you deserve information, support and space to decide what comes next on your own terms.
