Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against a Dallas-based group of learning centers for unlawfully marketing and selling fraudulent high school diplomas and transcripts. The petition, filed in Dallas County district court, seeks a permanent injunction against seven individuals and thirteen schools operating as diploma mills in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, in violation of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act (DTPA).
“Schools such as these take advantage of Texans seeking to better their lives through the attainment of their high school degree, however in reality, they’re paying for diplomas that are essentially worthless,” said Attorney General Paxton. “Our attorneys will continue the fight to eradicate this deceitful practice and its many ghost schools that have taken consumer’s hard-earned money with misrepresentations and promises they have no intention of keeping.”
According to court documents filed in Dallas County district court on Friday, August 14, Eddie Minnieweather and six other co-defendants operated a collection of diploma mill high schools across north Texas under multiple aliases. They used false and misleading statements to lure students to their “accredited” diploma program, which students were told would gain them admission into community colleges or into the military. After paying up to $500, however, students did not obtain academic instruction, grading or feedback. Upon graduation, they quickly found out that their diploma was not accepted by community colleges, technical colleges, the military, as was promised.
The State is seeking a judgment against defendants for civil penalties, court costs, and restitution for affected consumers.
The individual defendants named in State’s enforcement action are: Eddie Minnieweather, Individually; Kevin Haynes, Individually; Pedra Thomas, Individually; Elija Jacobs, Individually; Leilani Lasha, Individually; Michael McAlister, Individually; and John Lackey, Individually.
Schools named in State’s enforcement action are: I. Jean Cooper Private School; Holy Grail Academy; PJ Christian Academy; Billy Bush Academy; Emma Jean Bill Bush Academy; True way Academy; Honey Grove Academy; Seattle Grace School of Arts; Cooper Conner High School; Z. Tolliver Independent School; Bennie F. Raney High School; Promise Academy; and Dr. Pedra Jacobs Academy.
To view a copy the lawsuit, please visit: https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/files/epress/images/2015/POP-no_exhs.pdf
