New allegations have surfaced against The Ark of Little Cottonwood, an addiction treatment center in Sandy. State regulators put their license in jeopardy months ago, saying clients were exploited for personal gain and were embarrassed, humiliated and even frightened as part of their treatment.
The Ark’s director, Gloria Boberg, and her supporters say the whole controversy is driven by angry ex-clients who are lying.
Earlier coverage focused on salaries, far above non-profit averages, for director Gloria Boberg and her two sons. Now, KSL has learned that the state formally notified the Ark in January of numerous violations in the way they treat clients. Boberg disputes it all.
The Ark residential addiction treatment facility is on a four-acre estate in Sandy. Clients pay $13,000 to $15,000 each month, depending on insurance. They’re often put to work maintaining the place.
A violation notice issued in January by the Department of Human Services specifically cites Boberg, in at least one instance, for “improper use of clients for manual labor for personal gain to Boberg Family, (moving family members’ residences.)”
“We were made to shovel the manure out of the stalls,” said one former client who wished to remain anonymous. “Yeah, and shovel the snow. And do whatever yard work needed to be done, yeah.”
Boberg defends the work as a legitimate part of therapy, helping clients learn responsibility. But an anonymous ex-client said he believes there was a selfish motive for Boberg’s family.
“Free labor, you know. Get your stalls cleaned, they don’t have to pay to have that done or do it themselves,” said the client.
A violation notice issued in January by the Department of Human Services specifically cites Boberg, in at least one instance, for “improper use of clients for manual labor for personal gain to Boberg Family, (moving family members’ residences.)”
Boberg said that was a one-time occurrence to help a widowed relative. She said clients volunteered to help and she’s never made a dime off client labor. The document also says, “There are many ethical violations by staff at The Ark.”
“Clients shamed, embarrassed and verbally abused due to actions of Gloria Boberg,” the violation notice stated.
It also said that staff members used methods “designed to humiliate or frighten a consumer,” according to information gathered by the state.
“I wouldn’t be able to share that. But we do have evidence that that was the case,” said Ken Stettler, Director of the Office of Licensing for the Utah Department of Human Services.
Although she never formally contested the violations, Boberg insists they are all false, stirred up by angry ex-clients. That view is shared by an ex-addict who volunteers at The Ark and loves the program. He told KSL, “There are clients who are upset because Gloria asked them to step up and get their stuff done,” and they could not stick to the program.
The state documents list other violations though, including improper dispensing of medication and interference with client rights to interact with their families.
“It’s not a life threatening type of thing,” said Stettler. “But, yeah, they’re serious in how people are treated.”
State regulators placed The Ark’s license on conditional status in January and ordered a number of reforms they must implement to keep their license, including ethics training for the entire staff. The deadline for compliance is next month.