BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — The state of New York has filed a lawsuit against a high school and post-graduate basketball recruiting business and its principals, alleging they mislead customers with false claims regarding their program and services.
The New York State Attorney General's Office alleges that aauconnect.com (aauconnect), which also operates as New York International Academy, and its principals Chris Bevin and Hazel Ward, falsely advertised claims regarding their programs by saying ti was "No. 1 post-graduate boys and girls basketball program in the Northeast" and "best in New York." In addition, the Attorney General's Office alleges the company never ran a girls' post-graduate basketball program and did not provide a coaching staff for the training for which customers had paid.
“Students hoping to play college or professional sports shouldn’t have to worry that a business is preying on those dreams in order to make a quick buck,” New York State Attorney General Barbara Underwood said in a statement. “My office will not tolerate those who scam students and their families.”
Underwood's office also alleges aauconnect falsely advertised academic services, including a high school for 7th through 12th grade and even used an unauthorized photo of an area high school to portray their school. The company also failed to disclose that consumers' payments were not refundable and its significant late payment fees, the Attorney General's Office said.
Underwood's office seeks to prohibit Bevin and Ward from owning and operating a high school and post-graduate high school basketball business in the state until the posting a $250,000 bond.