A.G. Schneiderman Announces Order To Dissolve Animal Hospice That Misused $3.1m In Donations

BINGHAMTON – Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced that his office has obtained an order dissolving a Delaware County animal hospice and rehabilitation charity and, further, directing that the charity’s real property be sold with the proceeds to be paid to another charity whose mission is the protection and care of animals.  Acting Supreme Court Justice John F. Lambert ordered the appointment of a receiver to sell real property held in the names of Angel’s Gate, Inc. and its President and CEO, Susan Marino located in the Town of Meredith. 

“When generous New Yorkers open their hearts and pockets to donate to charity, they shouldn’t have to wonder whether or not their hard-earned dollars are actually being used to help those in need,” Attorney General Schneiderman said. “To abuse this generosity is reprehensible, and my office will keep working to hold those who do so accountable.”

Attorney General Schneiderman’s Office previously brought a proceeding against Angel’s Gate and Ms. Marino to dissolve the corporation because they had failed to file legally required financial reports related to the handling of their charitable funds.  In February, 2013, former Acting Supreme Court Justice Carl F. Becker issued an order directing Angel’s Gate and Marino to cease operations and remove all animals in their care.  The order went on to direct that they prepare and submit all required financial reports and prepare a plan of dissolution and distribution of assets.  Angel’s Gate and Marino submitted a plan seeking to allow Marino to continue ownership of Angel’s Gate’s real property with nothing going to the charitable purposes for which the money was raised.

Between 2007 and 2012, Marino and Angel’s Gate raised over $3.1 million from public donations that was used to purchase the real property and purportedly run the charity.  After a trial, Justice Lambert found that Ms. Marino had wholly mismanaged the charitable funds while continuing to live on the property as her primary residence.  The Court went on to find that Marino used the donated funds to provide for many of her living expenses without any oversight by an inactive Board of Directors. 

The Court appointed a permanent receiver to sell the real property and assess claims of creditors.  After the property is sold and creditors paid, the remaining funds will be directed to another animal care and protection charity.

The case was handled by Assistant Attorney General Michael J. Danaher, Jr. from the Binghamton Regional Office with the assistance of Investigator Kathleen Coppersmith. James E. Shoemaker is the Assistant Attorney General in Charge of the Binghamton Regional Office and Martin J. Mack is the Executive Deputy Attorney General for Regional Affairs.