And this is again about protecting students who are vulnerable. And not only are these students now left with boatloads of debt, they actually end up with no degree or no certificate or a degree that's worthless. I mean, unfortunately, with a lot of these institutions that we've gone after is situations where students have taken on boatloads of debt to try to get a degree, to try to get a certificate, only to show up to the program and learn that the program is not what it purported to be. And this is really causing students harm. They are misleading their programming, they are being deceptive to students and prospective students about the kinds of programs that they're offering. It’s similar to other cases that we've brought where we alleged that these for-profit schools are out there not playing fair and square. Can you compare and contrast how the Mildred Elley example stacks up to examples like that? WAMC: In your press release, you mentioned previous settlements with Bay State College and the Jolie Hair and Beauty Academy for similarly allegedly unfair and deceptive practices. It's about fairness, it's about protecting our students, and we're pleased with today's announcement. And they will also discharge – or get rid of, in other words – over $420,000 in debts owed by Mildred Elley students. They're going to be required to pay back $600,000 that will get distributed to eligible students. And so today, as the result of our investigation, we secured more than a million dollars in relief for students from the Mildred Elley School. They were using high pressure sales tactics to pressure people into attending school, and then when they were in school, they were failing to give them proper information and access to programs, they failed to make proper disclosure about their programs, and there were all sorts of issues. What we allege here is that Mildred Elley wasn't doing that. And that's why it's important that schools, particularly our for-profit schools, comply with the rules. HEALEY: We know that pursuing a higher education is a big decision for families, and it requires a significant financial investment. WAMC spoke with the Democrat this afternoon, about the settlement, what it means for the for-profit education industry, her national efforts to oppose restrictive abortion laws, and her political future. In a statement, the for-profit institution said that the allegations have been addressed since emerging primarily in 20, and that the agreement includes no admission of wrongdoing on its part. Mildred Elley, which has a campus at 100 West Street in downtown Pittsfield, was accused by Healey of practicing high-pressure enrollment tactics and deceiving prospective students. Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced a more than $1 million settlement today with a for-profit school with locations in Pittsfield, Albany, and New York City.
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