ITT Faces Lawsuit from Massachusetts Attorney General

By DANIEL LIBON (Patch Staff)

WILMINGTON, MA - A for-profit institution located in Wilmington faces new charges from the state.

Attorney General Maura Healey announced Monday the state has sued ITT Educational Services, Inc. in Norfolk Superior Court for engaging in unfair and harassing sales tactics and misleading students about the quality of its Computer Network Systems program, and the success of the program’s graduates in finding jobs.

In addition to their Wilmington location, ITT has a second Massachusetts school in Norwood.

“These students were exploited and pressured to enroll with the promise of great careers and high salaries, but were instead left unable to repay their loans and support their families,” Healey said in a release. “Our office has a history of going after predatory for-profit schools and will not stand for students in Massachusetts being treated simply as a source of income. We will continue to investigate and act against these deceptive practices and work hard to get the relief these students deserve.”

The complaint alleges that admissions representatives from ITT told prospective students that 80 to 100 percent of graduates in the program obtained jobs in or related to their field of study. The real placement rate was really 50 percent or less, with the school allegedly counting selling computers at a store or checking in customers on a computer for an airline as a placement.

Recruiters from the school were allegedly told to solicit up to 100 prospective students per day or face public shaming or job termination for not doing so. Students were convinced to visit a campus as soon as possible, where they were encouraged to apply, take an admissions exam, and complete a financial aid pre-appointment that same day. Admissions representatives pressured prospective students to enroll regardless of whether they were likely to succeed in the program, according to the AG's office.

Despite ads promoting a program with hands-on training and personalized attention, students allegedly dealt with outdated technology. Teachers were sometimes absent and told students to "Google" answers to their questions.

The AG's office is seeking civil penalties, injunctive relief and restitution, including the return of tuition and fees to eligible students.

Information in this article is from the Mass. Attorney General's office. Accusations and charges do not imply conviction.