San Diego
Managers of a controversial San Diego home for troubled youths have filed a $38-million lawsuit against county and state officials who, the managers say, falsely accused them of several criminal acts including drug abuse and theft.
Mamie Thomas, manager of the House of Hope, also contends that officials of the state Department of Social Services wrongfully used these accusations to suspend her operating license in February, 1985.
The suspension followed an investigation of reports that drug use, theft and sexual abuse were taking place inside the home in the 5100 block of Hilltop Drive in East San Diego.
In September, Administrative Judge Marguerite C. Geftakys of Santa Ana dismissed the case against the House of Hope. Despite the dismissal, Thomas contends in her lawsuit, state and county officials have refused to reinstate her license.
Officials of the Department of Social Services could not be reached for comment.
The House of Hope was first licensed in 1976 to run a home on Hilltop Drive for 12 troubled girls, ages 12 to 18. An additional home for boys was opened a few blocks away in 1979.
The home’s troubles began in 1980 when a male employee at the Hilltop facility was accused of sexually molesting a young girl. The charges against the employee were later dropped, Thomas said.
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