In less than a year, Max Meckes has opened five sober living homes and a headquarters in Bloomington. Taxpayer money and donations from non-profits have helped sustain the operation, called Malibu House.
Malibu House’s Facebook page describes obtaining food, beds, appliances, computers, and other items for the homes, but it’s often ambiguous about whether they were purchased or they were gifts.
The page says Malibu House is a “Charity Organization.” On several occasions, Malibu House has solicited donations on social media, including one last October that said, “Cash donations for Malibu can be paid through check or Cash App at $malibusoberliving.”
But Malibu House is not a charity organization.