NY’s Family Foundation School Faces Abuse and Trafficking Lawsuits From 34 Former Students

Image: Former Family Foundation School, now known as the Allynwood Academy in Hancock, New York, by Wikiwag – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Thirty-four former students of the now-closed Family Foundation School in upstate New York are pursuing lawsuits alleging childhood sexual abuse, forced labor and other mistreatment at a boarding school that promised to help troubled teenagers, the New York Post reported.

The litigation names the school’s corporate operator, Education Plus, along with numerous other defendants, including NBT Bank and food distributor Sysco. The former students allege that institutions and businesses associated with the school enabled or benefited from their exploitation.

The cases have also attracted the support of Paris Hilton, who has publicly advocated for survivors of abuse at troubled teen programs across the country.

According to the New York Post, additional former students are expected to file lawsuits, potentially bringing the number of cases to 50 or more.

Former Students Describe Years of Abuse

The Family Foundation School operated in Hancock, New York, from 1984 until its closure in 2014. It later operated under the name Allynwood Academy.

The school marketed itself as a residential program for teenagers struggling with behavioral, emotional and substance-related problems.

But former students describe an environment where punishment, intimidation and isolation were presented as treatment.

Their lawsuits allege that residents experienced sexual abuse, humiliating disciplinary practices, food deprivation and forced labor. Some former students say they were subjected to degrading punishments while being denied meaningful opportunities to report mistreatment or obtain outside help.

The allegations are part of a broader reckoning involving the troubled teen industry, a collection of residential treatment programs, therapeutic boarding schools and wilderness camps that have faced growing scrutiny over their treatment of children.

Why NBT Bank and Sysco Are Named in the Litigation

One of the more unusual aspects of the Family Foundation School lawsuits is the range of institutional defendants.

In addition to Education Plus and individuals associated with the school, federal complaints name NBT Bank, NBT Bancorp, Sysco Corporation and Sysco Syracuse.

The plaintiffs allege that outside businesses and other organizations participated in, enabled or financially benefited from practices that harmed students.

Some complaints include claims under the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, commonly known as RICO, which can apply to certain alleged patterns of organized unlawful activity.

The allegations raise questions about how far institutional responsibility may extend beyond the staff and administrators directly involved in mistreatment.

Federal court records confirm that NBT Bank and Sysco are named in multiple complaints. Their inclusion in the lawsuits does not mean a court has determined that either company participated in or knowingly benefited from abuse.

Former Teacher Sentenced to More Than 27 Years in Prison

The civil litigation follows the criminal conviction of former Family Foundation School teacher Paul Geer.

In March 2025, a federal jury found Geer guilty of four charges involving the coercion and transportation of two children across state lines for sexual abuse.

During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence that Geer used harsh disciplinary measures to intimidate students and exert control over them.

Those practices included withholding food, imposing forced labor and isolating children for extended periods.

Prosecutors established that Geer used his authority over students to coerce two children into traveling with him on separate occasions to Maine and Canada, where he sexually abused them.

On September 4, 2025, Geer was sentenced to 27 years and three months in federal prison.

His conviction established criminal responsibility for the conduct involving those two children. The separate civil lawsuits seek to determine whether the school and other defendants also bear legal responsibility for harm alleged by former residents.

Paris Hilton Supports Former Students Seeking Accountability

Hilton, who has spoken publicly about her experiences at Utah’s Provo Canyon School, has become one of the most recognizable advocates for reforming the troubled teen industry (TTI).

She has supported legislation strengthening oversight of residential youth programs and has encouraged other survivors to share their experiences.

Her involvement in the Family Foundation School litigation comes as former students seek accountability not only from individuals accused of abuse but also from the institutions they allege allowed it to continue.

The lawsuits are part of a broader effort by survivors to challenge the practices of facilities that operated with limited outside scrutiny.

What Happens Next?

Federal court records show that multiple cases involving Education Plus and related defendants have been filed in the Northern District of New York.

A court conference is scheduled for November 4, 2026, in Binghamton in at least one of the cases. The proceeding concerns case management and scheduling, rather than a determination of liability.

The lawsuits could eventually involve examination of school records, financial relationships, employee conduct and complaints made during the institution’s operation.

For former residents of troubled teen programs, the cases illustrate how civil litigation can extend beyond the individuals directly accused of abuse to organizations alleged to have facilitated or profited from misconduct.

Whether the defendants can be held responsible will depend on the evidence, the applicable law and the particular allegations against each party.