Connecticut Attorney General William Tong expanded the complaint against Stone Academy, alleging its owners siphoned millions for personal luxury while students were denied promised education and clinical training. Revenues surged during the pandemic, but exam pass rates fell and students lacked textbooks and qualified teachers. The AG seeks civil penalties, restitution, and a receiver to protect assets for student relief.
The state seeks civil penalties up to $5,000 per violation (potentially millions), disgorgement of all ill-gotten gains, restitution for affected students, and appointment of a receiver to marshal Stone Academy's assets.
Entity
Stone Academy
Industry
EducationOfficial Press Release
https://portal.ct.gov/ag/press-releases/2023-press-releases/attorney-general-tong-expands-complaint-against-stone-academy
102323 stone amended filing.pdf?rev=ef21610dd097401d91ac7023
https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/ag/press_releases/2023/102323-stone-amended-filing.pdf?rev=ef21610dd097401d91ac702364db97d2&hash=136597BD54ADA51792F9A5B08461978F
Attorney General Tong Sues Stone Academy
https://portal.ct.gov/AG/Press-Releases/2023-Press-Releases/Attorney-General-Tong-Sues-Stone-Academy
Connecticut Attorney General Enforcement Page
https://portal.ct.gov/AG/Privacy/Privacy-Resources
$5.0M
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong announced a $5 million settlement with Stone Academy and its owners for unfair and deceptive conduct. The defunct for-profit nursing school misrepresented its programs and failed to provide promised education, abruptly closing in February 2023. The settlement provides cash compensation to harmed students and bars the owners from higher education employment.
$5.0M
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong announced a $5 million preliminary settlement with Stone Academy and its owners for unfair and deceptive conduct. The for-profit nursing school failed to deliver promised education, lacking textbooks, experienced teachers, and clinical training, and abruptly closed in February 2023. The settlement provides cash payments to harmed students, bars the owner from higher education employment for five years, and includes measures to help students complete their education.
Attorney General William Tong refuted Stone Academy's attempts to blame regulators for its abrupt closure, detailing the school's own misconduct and harm to students. He is leading an investigation into potential violations of the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act and demands full financial disclosure and resources from Stone to assist affected students.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong sought a court order to compel the owners of Stone Academy, a for-profit nursing school, to comply with civil investigative demands following the school's abrupt closure. The investigation examines potential violations of the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act, including issues with clinical instruction hours, faculty qualifications, and student transcript accuracy, which left students' education plans in limbo.
$100K
The Connecticut Attorney General announced a $100,000 settlement with Spruce Power 3, LLC to resolve an investigation into billing, customer service, and warranty issues stemming from consumer complaints. The settlement includes refunds for improper charges and requires reforms to improve billing practices and response times. Separately, an investigation was initiated into SunStrong Management LLC based on approximately 65 consumer complaints regarding warranty failures, unresponsiveness, and fees.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong joined a coalition of 17 attorneys general in filing a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education to stop new data reporting requirements under IPEDS that demand detailed student information. The coalition argues the requirements are unlawful, arbitrary, and jeopardize student privacy by requesting in-depth data that could lead to inadvertent errors and baseless investigations. The lawsuit seeks an injunction to block the implementation of these requirements.