Golden State Today

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has initiated legal proceedings to dissolve the C.C.O.A. Housing Corporation, a nonprofit established in 1979 with the aim of providing affordable housing for elderly and handicapped individuals. The lawsuit was filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court following an investigation that uncovered numerous violations of state law by the corporation.

C.C.O.A. Housing Corporation's primary charitable activity was managing Cathay Manor, a 268-unit apartment complex in downtown Los Angeles financed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. However, due to persistent mismanagement, the corporation was compelled to sell Cathay Manor in 2023.

The Attorney General's complaint seeks to appoint a receiver while the case is resolved and proposes transferring the sale proceeds to another charity focused on affordable senior housing. Additionally, it demands an accounting of all financial transactions involving C.C.O.A.'s directors and related entities.

Attorney General Bonta stated, "There is simply no denying that C.C.O.A. Housing Corporation and its board members failed our seniors miserably when they operated Cathay Manor. It was and still is inexcusable." He emphasized that funds from the sale should be allocated to legitimate charities providing affordable senior housing.

U.S. Representative Jimmy Gomez expressed support for the action, noting his long-standing concerns about conditions at Cathay Manor: "For years, I’ve heard from Cathay Manor residents about the unacceptable conditions they’ve faced under C.C.O.A. Housing Corporation."

Los Angeles City Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez also supported the lawsuit: "C.C.O.A. and its board members demonstrated a complete and total disregard for the Chinatown community and the seniors who resided at Cathay Manor."

The lawsuit highlights several allegations against C.C.O.A., including breaches of fiduciary duty, failure to maintain health and safety standards at Cathay Manor, improper corporate governance practices, filing false statements with regulatory bodies, and non-compliance with information requests from the Attorney General's office.

Defendants named in the complaint include Gong Donald Toy (also known as Don Toy), Janet Lim, Sing Foo, and Jimmy Victoria—all current or former board members of C.C.O.A.

Despite ongoing civil and criminal actions against C.C.O.A., this new lawsuit aims not to impact these proceedings adversely but rather ensure proper management through a court-appointed receiver if dissolution occurs.

Following Cathay Manor's sale, more than $8.5 million remains in a restricted account pending further payments totaling $70 million due by June 2025. These funds are intended solely for low-income housing purposes per state requirements.

The Attorney General's office continues its oversight role over nonprofit public benefit corporations in California under laws prohibiting personal gain from charitable assets held by such organizations.