Legal Question in Consumer Law in Idaho

false education from a trade school

I attended a trade school. When I was enrolled, I was told it would take me one year to complete -- it took me almost four. I was also told I would have a certain skill level -- they didn't teach the classes. I was told since it would only take me one year to complete, it would only be $10,000 -- I have just over $35,000 in student loans. They represented that I would be able to make $80,000 a year -- I'm not making half that amount.

They also represented that they were accredited by a national association, come to find out they never were. I have done comparisons to schools offering the same program. Most other schools are charging only a fraction, they teach the classes as advertised, and they are accredited by the association.

There are a group of past students trying to figure out how to recover some of our astronomical educational loans. We have contacted the Attorney General's office, Dept. of Education, and made several other phone calls trying to find out our rights and where to start.


Asked on 1/05/02, 11:25 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
Andrew Hay Hay Law Firm

Re: false education from a trade school

It is hard to tell from looking at your information if a true claim exists. Your description certainly makes it sound that the school was simply trying to create a cash cow rather than giving people a reasonably good education for a reasonably good price.

We have to anticipate the defense of the school. They will likely say that they didn't guarantee success, that not everyone finishes the program in the same amount of time and similar explanations.

However, the lack of accreditation sounds like a serious problem for the school. So does the failure to teach the skill level originally promised.

That kind of misrepresentaiton can give rise to punitive damages under the Consumer Protection Act.

I am willing to talk to you and others in your posiiton about a claim. Because of the risk involved in the suit, my fees would not be contingent. I would pursue the claim on an hourly basis for my work. It would be a good advantage to have several students combine forces to share the expense.

If you want further information, call me at 253-272-2400.

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Answered on 1/07/02, 12:51 pm
Gass Timothy Gass Law Office

Re: false education from a trade school

What other schools charge for the same education is irrelevent since you selected that school and agreed to pay them the tuition you say you still owe.

It is a crime to perpetrate a fraud against a person and in Idaho it would probably be theft by deception, by trick, by obtaining money by false pretenses, etc. Theft by false promise could also apply. However, the attorney general should know these crimes well.

If the crime is proven, the defendant can be ordered to pay restitution to place the victim in the same condition he would have been in had the crime not occurred.

However, only by examining all relevent documents would I be able to determine the appropriate crime that has been committed.

If you found other persons similarly situated, you might be able to file a class action lawsuit against the school.

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Answered on 1/07/02, 5:14 pm


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