I’m pleased to report that settlement of our longest running class action received final approval. The case, Surrett v. Western Culinary was filed in March of 2008. (No that’s not a typo.) Under the settlement. people who made claims will receive refunds of 44 percent. In addition, any debts owed directly to the school have been written off. And the defendants have to pay fees and costs, so the full refund amount goes to the former student.
We’re pleased with the settlement and happy to report that the court approved it in full.
The judgment was entered today (one of the last big hurdles), and we now know that payments will be mailed out on August 10, 2018.
We’re still moving forward with individual arbitrations for those former class members who have to go to arbitration first. We expect to file hundreds of arbitration cases. We will see those through to the end, no matter how long it takes.
Thanks for your patience-
David
Javier says
So I filed a claim June 7th and only received a confirmation PIN and no other info, will those who made the dead line or when their payments will be mailed out?
David Sugerman says
Your claim was received. As noted above, the settlement was approved, and checks will be mailed out Aug 10.
Pete says
I just recently moved. Is there a way to verify that it will be mailed to the correct address?
David Sugerman says
The administrator can be reached here You should be able to update your address through them. If not, feel free to call us at 503.228.6474.
-David
Ileana says
I sent the form that I received in the mail but I did not receive a confirmation PIN.
David Sugerman says
Suggest you call our office at 503.228.6474.
Jameela Schacht says
WOW, Halleluja, gotta believe in Karma! And Karma doesn't wait until the next life to catch up to you!
Anthony Bernardi says
Just curious at to where the payments come from? And is everything on schedule?
David Sugerman says
Everything is on track. Checks will be mailed out from Beaverton.
Colby j. Weiler says
I received a pin and I know my claim was approved, I was told payments were to be arriving before or on August 10th. Or are they expected after 10th?
David Sugerman says
Under the terms of the settlement, checks will be mailed from Beaverton on August 10.
andrew w harris says
i was wondering if im part of the approved claim and will i be receiving a check and do we know how much could you please email me
David Sugerman says
If you were part of the class, you needed to file a claim. You can call our office at 503.228.6474 for more information.
Kathy L Reinhardt says
Thank you for all your hard work. How do we know if our loans are written off? I have been paying and still paying all these years.
Cathi McGloghlon says
I sent in the claim form but work on a cruise ship. Also the address was my old address in Florida and I sent in the claim with my new address in Washington. Is there a number or person I can contact directly
David Sugerman says
The administrator can be reached at tel:1-844-551-1720 (toll free).
Suzanne Hays says
If i filed claim and received confirmation, am i eligible for check?
David Sugerman says
Yes!
Lisa says
Has anyone received a check yet?
David Sugerman says
Yes. Checks have started to arrive. Please call our office tomorrow at (503)228-6474 so that we can get more information.
April says
I meant are they coming in the regular or do they require a signature?
David Sugerman says
Regular mail.
Lyall Schafer says
I never received a confirmation number how were they sent out?
David Sugerman says
Depending on how you made your claim, there may not have been a confirmation number. If you have not yet received your check, please call us at 503.228.6474.
LaDonna says
If you did not know about lawsuit but attented School and would like to join how do you do so ?
David Sugerman says
If you did not know about the lawsuit, chances are you were not included in the class. The suit covered only those who attended in Portland and who signed their enrollment agreement and started classes between March 5, 2006 and March 1, 2010. The deadlines to participate have run, so it's too late even if you otherwise met all the requirements.
Brian Royston says
I graduated from there in 2001 and got screwed. I got no help from them and ended up getting out of culinary arts. I wish they could repay my monies I spent moving out to Portland. Horrible school and I am finally done paying, but the struggle was bad and this school only cared about getting my money and never helped me. I tried using the website to look for work and it never worked. I wish I never went to WCI. The fact that there was no other lawsuit is besides me. I lost out on 2 years of my life and cost me a ton. I do not mention I went here because I ashamed and the school has no clout in my mind.
Stephanie Wells-Gray says
I attended beginning August 2006 in Portland and graduated and never received any information about this! I am only just now sadly hearing about this.
David Sugerman says
You do not appear in our database. If you signed your enrollment paperwork before March 5, 2006, you would not be eligible to participate. This is true even if you did not start classes until August. (The early paperwork problem excluded many people.....)
Pedro Hernandez says
I am assuming we will be paying tax on the funds we received from the Western Culinary settlement. Can you tell me if it will be your office that sends out the tax documents or who will be sending them and when that will be happening?
Katie a says
My name is Katie Agmata, I came forth a very long time ago back in 2007 or 2008. I brought a lot of information with me. Unfortunately I did not fall into the correct time of attendance and was not allowed to participate. I was curious if there would be or could be a filing for other students? Thank you for your time.
David Sugerman says
Hi- Sorry for the delay in responding. If you attended in Oregon in that period,
I’m afraid it’s too late.
JIMMY D SCOGIN says
Hi David. It is tax time. Will I be getting a form to use on the tax form. My wife received the payment and I am wondering how to report it. Thanks.
David Sugerman says
Hi-
I’m so sorry I didn’t see this sooner. If you still have questions have your wife send an email to me, david@davidsugerman.com. While I am not a tax lawyer, I can give her a bit of information and direction.
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