Concord, NH – New Hampshire Attorney General Gordon J. MacDonald announced today the completion of the investigation and the release of the final report by the Charitable Trust Unit (CTU) pertaining to the governance and management of Serenity Place in Manchester, NH.

On December 7, 2017, CTU received an initial report of serious financial concerns and, as a result, immediately opened an investigation. On December 20, 2017, Hillsborough County Superior Court, Northern District, ordered Serenity Place into receivership. Serenity Place is now in liquidation proceedings before the U.S. Bankruptcy Court.

The report issued today highlights deficiencies with respect to governance by the Serenity Place Board of Directors and its management and provides facts and circumstances leading to the receivership and closure of the organization.

In the months since the closure of Serenity Place, the CTU has:

• Initiated a comprehensive training process with the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation and the Department of Health and Human Services
• Amplified oversight of substance use disorder treatment and recovery organizations
• Continued to provide guidance and assistance to charities regarding governance issues

In addition, the Department of Health and Human Services is conducting program audits of substance use disorder treatment providers.

The final report is attached and is available at https://www.doj.nh.gov/charitable-trusts/reports.htm.