09.22.15

Durbin Statement on New Department of Justice Investigation of ITT Tech

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after ITT Tech – a for-profit college already under investigation by at least 18 state Attorneys General and being sued by two federal agencies – announced that it is now also under investigation by the Department of Justice under the federal False Claims Act. ITT Tech currently operates at least four campuses in Illinois including Arlington Heights, Orland Park, Oak Brook, and Springfield. 

   

“This announcement comes as no surprise to anyone who has followed the for-profit college industry and this company.  ITT Tech is under investigation by at least 18 states Attorneys General and has had lawsuits filed against it by two different federal agencies.  Today you can add a Department of Justice investigation to that shameful list,” said Durbin.  “The real surprise here is that the federal government is still allowing millions of taxpayer dollars to flow to a private company with that kind of track record.  What’s it going to take for us to put an end to ITT Tech’s taxpayer funded gravy train?”

   

In May, following the Securities and Exchange Commission’s lawsuit against ITT Tech and two of its executives for fraud, Durbin called on the Illinois Board of Higher Education to take appropriate action against ITT Tech to protect current students and ensure that additional students are not harmed.  He also sent a letter to Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, requesting information about the actions the Department has taken, and will take, to investigate and respond to fraud and other wrongdoing at Career Education Corporation, Education Management Corporation and ITT Tech.