NYC Shuts Down Homeless Org's Tables

New York’s attorney general Andrew Cuomo has shut down the United Homeless Organization’s sidewalk donation tables pending the results of a civil lawsuit against the group, which Cuomo has called an elaborate sham. “Today’s court order prevents U.H.O. from further exploiting the trust and good will of New Yorkers,” Cuomo said. His office accuses the group’s president and director of using tens of thousands of dollars for personal expenses, including cable TV, restaurant meals, and travel, while providing no services for the needy. The table workers pay the director and president $15 per shift to use the group’s tables and keep the rest that they collect, the lawsuit says.