LISBON Columbiana County court has ordered the temporary shutdown of the addiction recovery charity Lamb's House Inc. and appointed an attorney to take control of its assets and operations. The order follows a lawsuit filed by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost alleging misuse of charitable funds.

Common Pleas Court Judge Megan Bickerton issued an order on Monday, appointing Attorney Ken Goldberg as the interim receiver for the organization. The receiver, an attorney with the firm Strip Hoppers Leithart McGrath & Terlecky Co., LPA, is authorized to immediately take possession of, manage, and protect all assets, including real estate and bank accounts.

Judge Bickerton found there is "good cause to believe" that the defendants—Lamb's House Inc., Mark Altomare, Jo Propri, and Randy Clark—breached their fiduciary duties and failed to protect the charity's assets. The court also found cause to believe that Mark Altomare converted charitable assets for personal benefit.

The Attorney General's lawsuit, filed last week, seeks a permanent injunction and other relief, including money damages. The complaint asserts claims for breach of fiduciary duties, conversion, unjust enrichment, and abuse of a charitable trust.

As part of the temporary restraining order, the defendants are prohibited from selling or transferring any real or personal property purchased with charitable assets. They are also barred from withdrawing or transferring funds from any bank or financial account held by Lamb's House.

Farmers National Bank was ordered to immediately suspend all activity in the charity's bank accounts until the receiver takes control. The bank is to decline payment on checks payable to an individual defendant and suspend online access and ATM/debit card use.

The order grants the receiver full authority over the organization. This includes the power to collect all revenues, pay necessary operating expenses, and direct any pending litigation. The receiver may hire or terminate managers, agents, and employees, and can cancel leases or contracts deemed not beneficial to the organization.

The Attorney General's office previously alleged that Altomare, the founder and president, used the charity's funds for personal purchases, including thousands of dollars on Sam's Club, Walmart, restaurants, and Hulu subscriptions. T

he lawsuit also claims that Altomare lived rent-free on the charity's 43-acre property on Union Ridge Road in Rogers, which includes a residence and commercial building, and that the property has not been used for charitable purposes since at least 2017.

All officers and representatives of Lamb's House are ordered to cooperate with the receiver. The receiver is also authorized to take possession of all books and records and inventory the charity's assets. Creditors are required to file claims with the receiver no later than 45 days from the date notice is mailed.