By Nina Mandell
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN — New Yorkers can say goodbye to the ubiquitous plastic jugs with "UHO" printed on the sides and the workers asking for spare coins to fill them.
Attorney General Andrew Cuomo’s office announced Thursday it was shutting down the United Homeless Organization following a successful lawsuit by his office charging that its executives used the money collected for personal expenses, not to help the homeless.
Coumo barred the organization’s founder and president, Stephen Riley, and its director, Myra Walker, from operating not-for-profits in New York State.
The organization, which was founded in 1987, operated 34 year-round tables according to the New York Times. The jugs were manned by homeless or formerly homeless workers who gave all but $15 a shift to the organization.
The UHO’s official website was not available on Thursday.
Cuomo encouraged New Yorkers to continue donating to charities, despite the mistrust that may arise from the UHO scandal.
“This organization’s bad behavior should not undermine the public’s willingness to donate to legitimate charities,” he said in a statement. “This case should remind people that it is important to take the time to understand the organization to which they are contributing and what is done with the money.”