Zane's Parents Accused Of Conning Students
Titanic star Billy Zane's teacher parents have been accused of shutting down the Illinois medical college they ran without warning - and conning students out of $30,000 (GBP20,000) in tuition fees.
Around 60 students at Chicago, Illinois' Medical Careers Institute allege William and Thalia Zane have locked the doors on the school and disappeared after collecting money for the upcoming semester of classes.
Several of those at the college - training in echocardiography and medical billing and coding - tried to track the couple down, and were informed they had moved to their native Greece.
Student Valerie Ramirez tells the National Enquirer, "It was a huge shock for everyone. I showed up for class one day and there was an angry mob of students trying to figure out what happened.
"William and Thalia disappeared with our money. I lost $4,000, not to mention the six months of training I have no credit for - and they gave us no explanation whatsoever."
Yaakov Reed adds, "They were accepting payments up to two days prior to closing. Because their son was a wealthy actor, we never considered that the school would close in such a fraudulent way."
The Illinois State Board of Education has vowed to launch an investigation into the school's closure if the money isn't refunded within 30 days, reports the Enquirer.
Around 60 students at Chicago, Illinois' Medical Careers Institute allege William and Thalia Zane have locked the doors on the school and disappeared after collecting money for the upcoming semester of classes.
Several of those at the college - training in echocardiography and medical billing and coding - tried to track the couple down, and were informed they had moved to their native Greece.
Student Valerie Ramirez tells the National Enquirer, "It was a huge shock for everyone. I showed up for class one day and there was an angry mob of students trying to figure out what happened.
"William and Thalia disappeared with our money. I lost $4,000, not to mention the six months of training I have no credit for - and they gave us no explanation whatsoever."
Yaakov Reed adds, "They were accepting payments up to two days prior to closing. Because their son was a wealthy actor, we never considered that the school would close in such a fraudulent way."
The Illinois State Board of Education has vowed to launch an investigation into the school's closure if the money isn't refunded within 30 days, reports the Enquirer.
- 11/27/2008
- WENN
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