Attorney General William Tong announced last month that a $5 million settlement has been approved to resolve claims against Stone Academy, a for-profit nursing school that abruptly closed its doors in February 2023. The settlement provides financial compensation and new educational opportunities for former students who were misled by the school’s deceptive practices.
In a statement, Attorney General Tong expressed his commitment to holding the school accountable. “Stone Academy was a rip-off. Today, its leaders are being held accountable, and its students will see millions of dollars in compensation for the time and money they invested in an education they never received,” Tong said. “We remain committed to the Stone students, and will continue to support them in seeking additional relief—including loan forgiveness, potential state aid, and new training—to provide every remedy possible.”
The settlement resolves claims filed by the State of Connecticut and former students regarding the school’s misleading conduct. Stone Academy, which was expected to train students to become Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) in less than two years, failed to deliver on its promises, leaving students with incomplete education plans and substantial financial losses. The school lacked necessary resources, including textbooks, experienced instructors, and adequate clinical training.
Despite these deficiencies, Stone Academy continued to enroll students and generate millions of dollars in revenue before closing. As part of the settlement, $5 million will be allocated to compensate impacted students, although the state will retain only $150,000, which will be used to help students prepare for exit exams. Specific compensation for individual students will be determined through a private class action process.
In addition to the financial settlement, the agreement includes measures to help students complete their education. Former students will have access to remedial programs and the opportunity to finish their studies through Griffin Hospital School of Allied Health Careers. The Department of Public Health will no longer consider attendance at Stone Academy as a factor in nurse licensure investigations.
As part of the settlement, Joseph Bierbaum, one of Stone Academy’s key figures, will be banned from working in higher education for five years. If any of the former owners or officers of Stone Academy seek to open or operate another for-profit school in Connecticut, they will be required to notify the Office of the Attorney General.
In addition to the $5 million settlement, the Attorney General’s office has petitioned the U.S. Department of Education to discharge student loan debt incurred by Stone Academy students. The office is also working with class action counsel to push for state legislation that could reimburse students for out-of-pocket tuition costs and provide further support for students seeking careers in healthcare.
The settlement comes after a state investigation into the academy’s practices, which revealed that students were not given the quality education they were promised. The case highlights the importance of accountability in the for-profit education sector, particularly for schools offering specialized career training.
More information on the claims process for impacted students can be found here: Home – Ridenhour v. Stone Academy.
