A large parents group has filed suit against a fine arts school that suddenly shut its doors last year.
77 allegedly defrauded parents and students filed a lawsuit against Trisha Ying Zi Zhang and Edgar Kuckelkorn, the former president and vice president of Montecito Fine Arts School and its related entities (“Montecito”). The complaint was filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court. The Plaintiffs are represented by the non-profit civil rights organization, the Asian Pacific American Legal Center, a member of the Asian American Center for Advancing Justice, and the private law firm of Kirkland & Ellis LLP, which is providing pro bono assistance.
Defendants Zhang and Kuckelkorn ran schools located in Arcadia, Brea and Monrovia, where they offered art classes, 3D animation and a private high school. To lure students to their schools, Defendants Zhang and Kuckelkorn made numerous false representations using Chinese language radio, Chinese newspapers, Spanish language advertisements, appearances at college fairs and in-person meetings. These representations included touting the high quality and value of Montecito courses, guaranteed internships with prominent companies due to Defendants’ “connections,” portfolio development in art design and improved chances of admission to prestigious universities. Defendants also lied about Montecito’s financial stability, collecting payment for classes up to the month they closed their doors, all the while promising the courses would be continued. In August 2009, Montecito filed for bankruptcy. Plaintiffs paid collectively over $1.5 million in tuition.
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