HARTFORD, Conn. — The state’s top lawyer has made it official. He’s launching an investigation into unfair trade practices at Stone Academy. The for-profit school, which offers mostly nursing courses, suddenly shut down last week rather than face an audit.
On Thursday we learned that not only are Stone Academy leaders not talking to students, but they are stonewalling state officials who are trying to get to the bottom of what they knew, and when.
“We are going to throw everything we have at them,” said Attorney General William Tong.
After receiving more than 100 complaints impacting more than 900 students, Attorney General William Tong announced he’s issued a subpoena for access to Stone Academy’s records on tuition, marketing, revenue and accreditation.
He’s being backed up by state lawmakers.
“What Stone Academy did to you was wrong and they should pay for it,” remarked state Sen. Derek Slap, the co-Chair of the Higher Education Committee.
The investigation would dive into the potential violations Stone Academy violated within the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act.
A civil investigative demand was sent to Stone Academy, and the attorney general expects an answer from the school by March 10.
Tong is demanding detailed information and records regarding the education provided and tuition Stone Academy collected, as well as information that shows how and when the school decided to close, and how students were notified about the decision.
Over 100 complaints from students and faculty were submitted to the Office of the Attorney General regarding the closing, according to Tong.
Stone Academy closed its nursing schools in East Hartford, West Haven, and Waterbury last week after "serious concerns" were raised regarding licensure examination pass rates, faculty qualifications, and clinical training.
Students who are just months away from graduation are now left in limbo. The state office of higher education issued a sobering announcement.
“Some of those hours may not count and some of those on-campus clinicals that were done. Those will not be registered by the nursing board,” said Tim Larson, the Executive Director of the State Office of Higher Education.
Down but not out, students say they aren’t giving up on their dream of helping others.
“100%. You will see me out there as a nurse,” said Jarlinne Brooks, a former Stone Academy nursing student.
Stone Academy has told students to consider transferring their credits to four partner institutions. But President Joe Bierbaum has ties to two of them.
Bierbaum is also the President of Paier College which is at the University of Bridgeport and his father-in-law, Mark Sheinberg is the President of Goodwin University.
FOX61 brought this to the Attorney General. “If we find any violations of law or conflicts of interest, we will take action,” said Tong.
Not all the Stone Academy students who gathered at the Capitol to hear the announcement were happy with their public servants.
Former Stone Academy nursing student Justin Cullipher said, “The second I asked a question why the state allowed Stone Academy to continue taking students when they already had multiple violations, everyone turned their back and walked away.”
Questions remain on whether Stone Academy misused state and federal funds and whether it engaged in deceptive and predatory practices.
Civil Rights Attorney Cynthia Jennings called it, “One of the largest heists of African American and Latino people in the history of this state.”
State lawmakers tell me that in addition to this investigation, they are going to take a look at strengthening the state’s laws surrounding the regulation and oversight of other for-profit schools so what happened at Stone doesn’t happen again.
Matt Caron is a reporter at FOX61 News. He can be reached at mcaron@fox61.com. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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