School Sham
Computer classes that didn't deliver.

Without a high school education, Ms. Flo knew it would be hard to get a good job, so when someone handed her a flyer about computer classes, she signed up. That decision ultimately led her to Joy Simmons, a consumer rights attorney with LAFLA.

After three weeks of classes, Ms. Flo showed up one day to find an empty room. She not only lost her promised education, she lost her good credit rating because the school had helped her get a government-guaranteed student loan for the tuition. For two years, Ms. Flo tried explaining to the collection agency that she didn't get the education and couldn't pay them. When she finally found a job, the IRS withheld her tax refunds to offset the guaranteed loan.

A friend told Ms. Flo about the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles. Acting for her, Ms. Simmons contacted the collection agency to explain the situation; it was not receptive. Ms. Simmons then filed an application to discharge the loan, arguing the school had falsely certified Ms. Flo's ability to benefit from classes, had not provided required remedial courses, and had closed during the course of computer studies. It took one more year before the loan was discharged.

Ms. Flo's credit is cleared and she will receive the refunds from the IRS. This sort of case, says Ms. Simmons, who has been with the Foundation for 15 years, makes her feel good about her job. "In the cases I handle, you see a clear distinction between the good guys and the bad guys. Often we're the very last resort for our clients."

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