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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Fla. AG sues online high school diploma program

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Pam Bondi | The Office of Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi

Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi accused Diversified Educational Resources LLC (DER), Alexander Wolfram and Maria Garcia of allegedly violating the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act and Fraudulent Practices Act in a lawsuit filed on Friday.

The suit follows more than 100 complaints alleging that the defandants were advertising and selling falsified diplomas and transcripts. It states that the defendants registered DER, doing business as Jefferson High School (JHS) and Enterprise High School, with the Florida Department of State for operating an online high school diploma program. A virtual office was set up in Broward County to allegedly create the impression that the school was in Florida. 

According to the suit, the program provides no textbooks, coursework or instruction. The requirements to receive a diploma are to take a one-minute experience survey and a 100-question test, and write an essay. Consumers then receive the diploma and transcripts within five days.

It also alleged the defendants will provide a verbal verification to confirm the validity of the diploma and transcript for those seeking confirmation of the JHS credentials.

The suit was filed for violation of The Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act, The Florida Statute Chapter 817.06 and Florida Statute Chapter 501.97.

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