Atlanta Education Fraud Lawyer
The federal Department of Education provides billions of dollars in funding to educational institutions directly, and more than $95 billion in loans for students to attend accredited higher educational programs. As often happens, funding on this scale creates an incentive for fraud. Schools and other institutions like accreditation agencies can commit various fraudulent schemes which ultimately cost the American taxpayer.
Fortunately, powerful federal laws exist to help the government get back the money it paid out for fraudulent claims. Stacey Evans Law is happy to help anyone with evidence of fraud discuss how they might assist the government in recouping money. Contact us today to speak with an Atlanta education fraud attorney to learn more.
Fraud Involving Institutional Accreditation
Accreditation agencies are not created by the Department of Education, but the agency does set standards. Instead, the actual process of reviewing schools and accrediting them is done by private companies. Once a program receives accreditation, it must continue to meet benchmarks so that it does not lose this status.
The accreditation process, unfortunately, presents unique opportunities for fraud. For example:
- A program submits falsified records to an accreditation agency as part of the review process.
- A program attempts to bribe an accrediting agency for approval.
- An accrediting agency approves a program which really does not meet requirements.
Once a program is approved, it can begin receiving federal funds, so any fraud in the accreditation process can result in millions of dollars obtained illegally.
Fraud Involving Students
Programs which cannot enroll students will not stay in business very long. For this reason, there is constant pressure to bend the rules to admit as many students as possible. Because students often need federal loans to pay for tuition, schools also feel pressure to help their students receive financial aid.
Some fraud involving students includes:
- Paying recruiters to enroll students in a program.
- Enrolling students who do not meet academic requirements.
- Granting financial aid to students who do not meet aid requirements.
- Encouraging students to falsify academic or financial information to obtain student loans.
Students who receive admission or financial aid have little incentive to blow the whistle on this scheme since they are directly profiting from it. However, others inside an institution might be aware of the scope of fraud.
How You Can Help Us Fight Education Fraud
Schemes to defraud the federal government of tax dollars implicate the False Claims Act. This law entitles the government to recoup all funds paid out illegally, including treble damages, and other penalties for violations. This law allows private citizens to file lawsuits on the government’s behalf and receive a portion of the money obtained.
Fraudulent schemes involving educational institutions are often wide ranging, involving many people. What might appear to be an isolated mistake could be, on closer review, the tip of a very large iceberg.
Contact an Atlanta Education Fraud Attorney for a Free Case Review
Our legal team can help anyone with evidence of education fraud blow the whistle and file a False Claims Act. Call us to schedule a time to speak.
