Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen filed a lawsuit on Monday against Corinthian Colleges Inc. following allegations that it used misleading and deceptive tactics to convince students to enroll in its Milwaukee school.
The suit alleges that Corinthian Colleges used inflated job placement rates to lure students to enroll at Everest College. It also allegedly promised externships that didn't exist and enrolled students with below-average reading skills and criminal backgrounds in health programs even though they were unlikely to complete the program or be employable after completion of the programs.
The college also allegedly pressured potential students to enroll by creating a false sense of urgency even though no deadlines existed.
“Our office will prosecute post-secondary schools that use deceptive recruiting tactics to increase enrollments, leaving vulnerable, unemployed graduates with excessive federal student loan debt, underwritten by the taxpayer,” Van Hollen said.
The current case seeks restitution for students and graduates, as well as legal fees.
Everest College in Milwaukee closed in August 2013 and provided some refunds to students who were unable to graduate due to the closure.