Humanitarian Organization for Multicultural Experiences

In February 2022, New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) filed a civil complaint against H.O.M.E. founders Shirley and Tyrone Goddard for allegedly embezzling almost $1 million from the organization. The Goddards were both removed from their positions at H.O.M.E. in 2018 when the alleged fraud was first uncovered.

Activity

Humanitarian Organization for Multicultural Experiences provides housing and home care to mentally disabled individuals. The organization was incorporated in 1993 with five facilities in Syracuse, New York. ¹ H.O.M.E. presently offers housing, socialization classes, job training programs, health and wellness classes, and leisure activities to mentally disabled individuals. ²

Funding

In 2019, Humanitarian Organization for Multicultural Experiences generated almost $2 million in revenue, over $900,000 less than in the previous year. The majority of H.O.M.E.’s revenue comes from New York State, primarily through Medicaid, which spends about $3 million in a typical year on H.O.M.E.’s services. ^{3 4}

Embezzlement Allegations

In February 2022, New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) filed a civil complaint against the Humanitarian Organization for Multicultural Experiences’ founders, Shirley Goddard, the former president and chief executive officer, and her husband, Tyrone Goddard, H.O.M.E.’s former board chair. The couple is accused of embezzling between an estimated $650,000 and $900,000 of H.O.M.E.’s assets from 2012-2018. The state alleges that their conduct may have been instigated by Shirley Goddard’s gambling debts, and “left H.O.M.E. teetering on the edge of insolvency.” ³ James is seeking full repayment to H.O.M.E. and to permanently ban the Goddards from fiduciary roles in the state. ^{5 6}

According to the state’s allegations, Shirley Goddard began the scheme alone in 2012. In the following year, Tyrone Goddard discovered the scheme and began helping her conceal it. The two allegedly falsified loans, manipulated expense reports, and took higher than reported salaries, allegedly by falsifying 600 hours of paid vacation. ³ The state alleges that Shirley repeatedly used H.O.M.E. accounts to make withdrawals at ATMs in casinos. Other funds were used to make purchases at Best Buy, Verizon Wireless, and the Destiny USA mall, none of which had verified uses at H.O.M.E. The Goddards allegedly occasionally deposited personal funds into H.O.M.E. accounts to conceal their thefts. ^{5 6}

In 2018, New York’s Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) discovered the discrepancies in H.O.M.E.’s accounts. The Goddards blamed the discrepancies on a “bank error.”. The Office referred the case to the state Attorney General’s office. ^{5 6}

As a result of the scandal, H.O.M.E. was placed on “Early Alert” status by OPWDD, which requires additional monitoring and supervision for organizations that receive state funding. ³

HOME’s Response

H.O.M.E.’s board of directors responded to the revelations by terminating Shirley Goddard as chief executive officer and president, and by asking board chair Tyrone Goddard to resign. ³

Shortly after Attorney General James announced the complaint, H.O.M.E. released a public statement distancing the organization from the Goddards. The organization stated the complaint is “not representative of our current circumstances nor the people that work here.” ⁷