California Students of United Education Institute File Class Action Suit

    SAN DIEGO, CA, October 30, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- On October 15, 2012, Rachel Cordova, Rosalinda Mendoza, and Martha Yates filed a class action complaint in the Superior Court of San Diego, against United Education Institute ("UEI") alleging that the school took advantage of them, by convincing them to take out large student loans with the promise that, upon graduation, they would receive job placement assistance that would find them well-paying jobs in their chosen filed. Ms. Cordova and Ms. Mendoza attended a UEI location in San Diego County, and Ms. Yates attended UEI in Los Angeles. The lawsuit alleges that UEI engages in false and misleading advertising to lure students desperate to find work to enroll in its programs and amass thousands in Federal school loans in order to pay for school. Instead of obtaining help from UEI to find jobs upon graduation, however, the students allege that they now have thousands in school loans, a substandard education and no job in their chosen field of study.

UEI is a for-profit school that provides post-secondary education in fifteen locations throughout California. It advertises training in specific areas of study such as criminal justice, dental studies, medical studies, and medical billing and insurance coding. The complaint further alleges that UEI misrepresents the cost of its programs in violation of the Education Code and requires its students to pay for a cap and gown in order to receive their diploma even if the student does not want to participate in the graduation ceremonies.

Ms. Cordova, Ms. Mendoza and Ms. Yates hope that by bringing this lawsuit they can prevent others from falling prey to what they believe are deceptive and misleading practices by UEI. They are represented by two law firms with extensive experience in consumer and class action litigation: Callahan, Thompson, Sherman & Caudill, LLP in Irvine, California and Duckor, Spralding, Metzger, & Wynne in San Diego, California. Annette Clark, an attorney working on the case, stated, "The situation that my clients are facing because of their experiences at UEI is just heartbreaking. UEI took advantage of individuals facing a hard economy, who were desperate to find work. They were told that they would get a good education and receive assistance in order to enter a career in a field that would help them to earn more money. Instead, after working hard in the program and graduating, all they have to show for it is the huge debt for their student loans and no job to pay it back."

The complaint seeks an order requiring UEI to fully comply with all state laws applicable to private postsecondary vocational education; make refunds to its students for all wrongfully received fees; forfeit all fees and charges that were collected in violation of the California Education Code; general damages; and punitive damages.

CONTACT:
Scott L. Metzger or
Annette C. Clark
Counsel for the Plaintiffs
DUCKOR SPRADLING METZGER & WYNNE
A Law Corporation
3043 4th Avenue
San Diego, California 92103
(619) 209-3000
(619) 209-3043 fax

Robert W. Thompson or
Kathleen Hartman
Counsel for the Plaintiffs
CALLAHAN, THOMPSON, SHERMAN & CAUDILL, LLP
2601 Main Street, Suite 800
Irvine, CA 92656
(949) 261-2872
(949) 261-6060 Fax

Website: http://www.dsmwlaw.com

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