Late CareGivers CEO Mishandled Manchester Charity's Finances: AG

CONCORD, NH — The N.H. Attorney General's Office discovered significant financial discrepancies in its review of the Manchester-based CareGivers organization, whose executive director was found dead in Merrimack shortly after a government subpoena in September. Donny Guillemette of Weare, who directed the CareGivers since 2000, made thousands of dollars in unauthorized payments and used some money for his own benefit, according to the final report issued by the AG's office. The report cites poor record-keeping, insufficient funds, inaccurate statements and lack of oversight at two local nonprofits, which have since begun to redistribute their assets in light of the discoveries.

The CareGivers previously rented an office in Bedford but relocated to Perimeter Road in Manchester in 2017. Run largely by volunteers but some paid staff, it provides services to the elderly and people who are disabled — giving transportation to doctors's appointments and groceries, operating a food pantry and making phone contact to clients for personal interaction.

On Sept. 6, the AG's Charitable Trusts Unit issued a subpoena to the CareGivers requiring review of its financial records. Five days later, Guillemette went missing. On Sept. 16 he was found dead at the Horse Hill Nature Preserve in Merrimack after committing suicide, according to a police report released to the New Hampshire Union Leader last fall.

According to the recent AG's report, the subpoena was due to CareGivers' failure to meet financial reporting requirements. In their review investigators uncovered years-long financial problems of which the board of directors did not seem to be aware. The report states Guillemette apparently tried to address some financial issues at the CareGivers by making unauthorized distributions from Danny's Team, a separate nonprofit where Guillemette served as treasurer and controlled investment accounts.

"Guillemette also treated CareGivers' and Danny's Team accounts as his own, using them to pay personal expenses," states the AG's report, released last week. "Given Mr. Guillemette's scheme, the full extent of the improper transactions has not been determined."

Danny's Team, which supports people with disabilities, has no staff and is funded through sporting events such as golf tournaments, the AG's report states. In its investigation of Danny's Team finances, the CTU learned that Guillemette kept no real bookkeeping records while serving as treasurer, according to the report.

"The board of directors of Danny's Team likewise was shocked to learn that Mr. Guillemette had paid out about $80,000 from savings for his own benefit and that of CareGivers," states the AG's report. "The board is in the process of dissolving the organization."

At the CareGivers, investigators found multiple overdue bills and emails from the landlord threatening eviction. A subpoena of the CareGivers' financial records at People's United Bank revealed the charity did not have sufficient funds to pay its bills, including payroll. At some point in 2018, it appears that Guillemette stopped paying himself a salary, the report states.

The CareGivers suffered some losses due to Guillemette seemingly using the charity's funds as extensions of his personal accounts, according to the AG's report. Investigators say that between 2015 and 2017 the CareGivers paid $16,615 to Rivier University, where Guillemette had been a graduate student. The board of directors had never authorized that tuition reimbursement, the report states. Amazon purchases and personal credit card payments were also used by Guillemette using the CareGivers' funds, according to investigators.

With Guillemette's death, New Hampshire Catholic Charities has acquired the CareGivers' assets and programs, per acquisition agreement in November. The Danny's Team board of directors is in the process of dissolving its organization and distributing the assets, according to the AG's report.