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By Amy Joi O’Donoghue, Deseret News
Published: Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2011 6:39 p.m. MDT
SALT LAKE CITY — Attorneys representing 350 former students and 150 of their parents have renewed their claims of fraud, breach of contract and allegations of abuse against a Utah-based organization running schools for troubled children.
The lawsuit filed last week in 3rd District Court against the World Wide Association of Specialty Schools jump starts claims of damages filed back in 2006 in federal court — a case dismissed at that level because of jurisdictional issues.
Tenets of the case, however, remain the same, alleging the umbrella of schools charged thousands of dollars a month in tuition but failed to deliver on educational promises and psychological treatment plans.
In addition, the suit outlines of host of abuses students say were perpetuated on them while in the care of the schools, including:
• Unsanitary living conditions
• Being kicked, beaten, thrown and slammed to the ground
• Sexual abuse
• Chained and locked in dog cages
• Forced to lie in urine and feces as a method of punishment
WWASPS, owned by Utahans Robert Lichfield, Brent M. Facer and Ken Kay, has been the subject of multiple lawsuits and investigations over the years resulting from allegations always flatly denied and rejected by its attorneys.
Multiple ancillary programs and services are alleged to be part of a network that supported schools operating in Mexico, Jamaica and throughout the United States, including Utah.
Some of the schools have been criminally investigated by state or local authorities, including an expansive probe by the New York Attorney General’s Office of Ivy Ridge Academy near the border of Canada and the United States.
At the time of a 2005 settlement reached in that case, New York state attorneys said Ivy Ridge was behind one of the largest educational fraud cases in the history of the state. The school was ordered to partially reimburse tuition costs of parents and to refrain from advertising that it offered educational diplomas because it was not an accredited institution recognized by state officials.
Casa by the Sea, another specialty school, was shut down after a raid by Mexican officials in 2004.
Ivy Ridge was operated by a Jason Finlinson, said to be Robert Lichfield’s, son-in-law, and Casa by the Sea was operated by Narvin Lichfield, Robert Lichfield’s brother.
Such relationships also go to the heart of this latest lawsuit that alleges a network of related, or closely related individuals, operating in a single enterprise that “skimmed such large amounts of money off the amounts paid by parents that little was left to provide services and care for the children at the boarding facilities.”
Attorney Windle Turley, of Dallas, Texas, said he is hopeful that the restructured lawsuit will move forward in state district court and give his clients a forum to air their complaints.
The plaintiffs seek a court order a jury trial and unspecified damages.
Like to add a correction, It was Dace Goulding who owned Casa By the Sea. Narvin Lichfield ran Dundee Ranch in Costa Rica. Both shut down by allegations of abuse.
Correction, Casa By the Sea was closed down due to allegations against a different American School Campus located in Mexico. Because of the abuse allegations against that campus – completely unrelated in any way to the WWASP programs, the Mexican Government seized and closed ALL American campuses.
I still stand by my decision – 100% – as a parent, to send my daughter to Casa back in 2004. The program saved her life. She finished the program later that year at Darrington Academy.
Actually this is not true, and I know what you are referring to, Sunrise Beach was also shut down but they were many years apart. High Impact was first shut down and then Casa By the Sea about a year later. This was due to an investigation by the FBI in conjunction with the Mexican Authorities. I myself was interviewed for this investigation, so I am more than positive that they went in with knowledge about what was happening within the WWASP Schools.
I’m sure you don’t regret your decision to send your daughter… but have you asked her how she feels about it? Considering Darrington Academy was also shut down, and Rich Darrington was arrested and charged with punching a kid in the face (and knocking his teeth out) I think it’s fair to say Darrington Academy was abusive too. I know it’s easier to reassure yourself that you did the right thing… and I am glad your daughter wasn’t abused (if that is the case) but I think it’s only fair to her that you give her the credit for saving her own life. With the way these programs operate, it takes a strong person to survive and to thrive despite the program. I bet she still has nightmares about being there, and that she avoids certain things that remind her of it (like fabuloso, or certain foods) That is because many of us suffer from PTSD. If your daughter is doing well today, it is because she is a resilient young woman and she made the best out of a bad situation… Not because the program saved her life.
May I ask if there are any specific allegations against Red River Academy? I see that they are named in the lawsuit but have found nothing about them as far as the things I’ve that have happened at the other schools. Any info would be most appreciated.
How do i file a lawsuit? I was beaten and abused for a year in 2004 at Spring Creek Lodge Academy. Turley says he is not accepting new clients because the lawsuit has already started its process
Hi I need more information about Tranquility Bay as a nephew of mine was incarcerated there for almost 2 years. He is 41 years old today and he has the mentality of a 15 year old. He is very distraught and suffers from severe PTSD from this trauma he was enforced to endure at Tranquility Bay in 1999 to 2000.
Logsn, I’m with you! I contacted Turley and they told me the same thing. I was in CCM and TB from 1997-1999 and still can’t speak of the few memories I haven’t repressed.
Contact thomas m. Burton (801)918-1656 he is also taking cases to cdowith wwasps
I was glad to see mr. brown’s contact information for Thomas Burton. My daughter was at cross Creek Manor from 2007-2008. I too found Turley unwilling to include us or even give ANY information or suggestions other resources.
Has Anybody inrolled in a wwasps facilaty back in 94 95 been awarded any kind of compensation with or without finacial records and without any parental suport Turly law firm seems to have stop working with me on on my case from 94 witch i filed in 2009 im looking to full fill a promise to make sure i did every thing in my power to have majestic ranch be held liable for the abuse /excetra witch many of us endured under there supor vision
I was enrolled in BETHEL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY(BOYS)in LUCEDALE MISSISSIPPI and was wondering how I can participate in the Lawsuit against this GOD-FORSAKEN FACILITY. Please contact me at callmevan23@yahoo.com if you have any information that will help me take the FOUNTAIN CLAN into PRISON, THANKS.
I was at casa by the sea in Mexico from 2002 to 2003…is it to late to join the lawsuit
I truly hope these people answered for their abuse and crimes against these kids. There should be no statute of limitations for child abuse because children are unable to defend themselves until the are an adult.