Attorney General William Tong on Thursday sought a court order to force the owners of Stone Academy to comply with an ongoing investigation into potential violations of the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act.
Tong began investigating in February after the for-profit nursing school – which has locations in East Hartford, Waterbury and West Haven – abruptly closed its campuses amid concerns about its National Council Licensure Examination rates, faculty qualifications and clinical training.
In March, Tong served owners Joseph Bierbaum and Richard Scheinberg with civil investigative demands seeking information about their finances, including where their records are stored, along with payroll, staffing, enrollment and attendance records.
On Thursday, Tong’s office said the school’s responses to his demands appeared to be incomplete or missing information.
Bierbaum and Scheinberg failed to respond to or even acknowledge the demand by a March 29 deadline, according to Tong’s office.
“Stone took in millions of dollars in tuition from students who spent countless hours away from their families and jobs to become nurses and advance their careers,” Tong said. “Stone utterly failed them. What has happened to these students is a tragedy and I am beyond outraged on their behalf.”
Stone Academy students in need of assistance, or Stone Academy employees with information, are asked to contact the Office of the Attorney General’s online portal.
Students may also contact the Office of Higher Education for assistance and guidance at 860-947-1816 or ohe.pcs@ct.gov.