Education Fraud

Trade School Scams Blog

Recent Developments:

August 2012

Law Offices of Jeffrey J. Antonelli, Ltd. files New Jersey class action complaint against Healthcare Training Institute, Inc. alleging the for-profit school enrolled students in courses for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (also known as ultrasound) that failed to meet  minimum requirements for national registry examinations and employment, among other wrongdoing.  Co-counsel in the lawsuit is Leslie A. Farber of Montclair, New Jersey

Law Offices of Jeffrey J. Antonelli, Ltd files Illinois class action complaint against Stratford Career Institute, Inc. alleging the school's "high school diploma" courses sold to Illinois residents were fraudulently represented and are worthless.  Allegations include the ‘high school diploma” is simply not recognized as legitimate by employers, colleges or universities.

March 2012
Law Offices of Jeffrey J. Antonelli, Ltd and William J. Harte Law Offices files Illinois class action complaint against Westwood College in alleging false promises were made about their accreditation, course credit transferability, and other wrongful actions.

January 2012
Law Offices of Jeffrey J. Antonelli, Ltd. settles class action lawsuit representing  hundreds of former students against an Illinois multi-campus for-profit vocational school and its owner. August 2012 update: The January 2012 settlement has been approved by the court and payments to Class Members who timely submitted claim forms is pending.

The consumer fraud lawsuit alleged that the school enrolled students in courses for Diagnostic Medical Sonography and Echocardiography that did not meet minimum requirements for Registry and employment, among other wrongdoing.  Co-counsel include The Clinton Law Firm, DiTommaso Lubin, and William J. Harte Law Offices, all of Chicago.

September 2011
Law Offices of Jeffrey J. Antonelli, Ltd. settles lawsuit representing 75  former students against for-profit vocational school Medical Careers Institute, Inc. and its owner.

Terms of the settlement are confidential. Thomas Panzica, et al. v. Medical Careers Institute, Inc., et al., Circuit Court of Cook County No. 09 L 001317. Co-counsel include The Clinton Law Firm and William J. Harte Law Offices, both of Chicago.

August 2011
Law Offices of Jeffrey J. Antonelli, Ltd and William J. Harte Law Offices files Illinois class action complaint against Coyne American Institute alleging false promises were made about Medical Assisting certifications available to students and other wrong actions. 

Attorney Jeffrey Antonelli has investigated and filed lawsuits against schools committing alleged fraud for a number of years. If you believe your inability to find a job may be due to being misled by your school in some way, do not delay. Legal deadlines apply and waiting too long may allow the school to get away with it.  See this 2008 media story of what could happen to you: http://articles.chicagobreakingnews.com/2008-11-22/news/28512262_1_students-abrupt-closure-loop-school