The indictment of music teacher Paul Geer, who worked at the Family Foundation School in upstate New York, revealed he had sexually abused students during one-on-one trips outside the state. Former students had long accused the school of being a violent prison, leading to lawsuits and online campaigns. The charges against Geer include six counts related to bringing students across state lines for unlawful sexual activity, which he denies. One victim, Liz Boysick, was forced into oral sex by Geer when she was just 16 years old. His arrest was a moment of vindication for many former students who had spoken out about the abuse.
Geer’s career at the Family Foundation School began when the founders offered him a job on the spot after a choral recital. For over 20 years, he worked at the school, which was meant to help troubled teenagers with behavioral issues. Former students recall him singling children out, asking personal questions about their sex lives, and subjecting them to various forms of abuse. The indictment describes Geer as a bully who not only sexually abused the students but also made them endure physical punishment like carrying heavy loads of rocks and communication blackouts.
The indictment outlines three occasions when Geer took students out of state and forced them into sexual activity. One victim, Mike Milia, was just 14 when Geer sexually abused him during a fishing trip to Maine. Mr. Milia’s lawsuit against Geer is still pending. In a 2019 deposition, Geer admitted that he should not have taken a minor to Maine but denied sexual abuse, stating that he behaved badly and was aggressive during his time at the school. The school closed in 2014 after reports of abuse, suicides, and fatal overdoses from former students surfaced.
Former students like Liz Ianelli have spoken out about the horrific conditions at the school, including physical and emotional abuse. Her book, “I See You, Survivor,” details the abuses she and others suffered while attending the Family Foundation School. Geer’s arrest brought closure to many former students who had been living with the trauma of their experiences at the school. Some expressed relief at seeing him in custody, feeling that he could no longer harm them. The younger Mr. Argiros, who took over the school after its founders retired, denied hearing reports of abuse while he was in charge in depositions in 2018 and 2021.
The article mentions how Geer’s arrest was a significant moment for the former students who had been campaigning against the school for years. His arraignment and subsequent denial of release characterized the long legal battles faced by victims of abuse at the Family Foundation School. Many former students gathered at the court hearing to witness the proceedings, seeking closure and justice for the abuses they endured. Geer’s arrest is seen as a step towards holding those responsible for the abuses at the school accountable and ensuring that similar incidents do not happen in the future.
