Nicole Hemmenway, who has been the U.S. Pain Foundation’s interim CEO since the board pushed out its former leader two years ago for misusing charitable funds, now has the permanent job title.
The Middletown-based nonprofit, which advocates for patients with chronic pain, announced the permanent hire on Monday in a brief press release.
Hemmenway was chair of the Pain Foundation’s board of directors until former CEO Paul Gileno resigned in 2018 for reasons not publicly announced.
The nonprofit later revealed that it had learned Gileno had misappropriated funds.
Gileno pleaded guilty to wire fraud and tax evasion last summer, and was ultimately sentenced to a year in prison, followed by two years of supervised release. He must also make full restitution to the foundation and pay taxes on the embezzled income.
However, Gileno, citing concerns over COVID-19 and his asthma and respiratory issues, successfully applied to the court for compassionate release, which a judge granted in mid-April, and is now serving the remainder of his prison sentence at home, according to court records.
While in prison, Gileno corresponded with Pain News Network, discussing his concerns about the pandemic and complaining about bad food and poor treatment.
