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Christian College in California Faces Charges of Money Laundering, Labor Trafficking

Adam StantonDecember 20, 2024 Christian News Commentary
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Judge Debra Nye-Perkins revoked Olivet University’ License and ordered the school to cease operation. The private Christian college, based in Anza, California is under federal investigation for a bevy of crimes. Former students allege labor trafficking and money laundering. Olivet must propose a plan within 30 days to allow their students to finish their coursework at other schools after the campus is closed.

Judge Nye-Perkins also has ordered the embattled school to cover the $64,000 investigation that uncovered 14 violations at the two campuses. This investigation caused Attorney General Rob Bonta to file a complaint with the Department of Consumer Affairs in early 2023. He did this on behalf of the chief of the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education.

In the 107-page decision, the Judge said “The only degree of discipline that would ensure public protection is the revocation of respondent’s approval to operate,” Nye-Perkins said in her Dec. 5 decision. She said the staff at Olivet displayed a “cavalier attitude” towards state laws and spent a three-day administrative hearing last month ” minimizing its failure.“ 

During the last hearing, six witnesses spoke on behalf of the state. Seven witnesses spoke on behalf of Olivet University. Included among their number were President Jonathan Park, Vice President Walker Tzeng, and former President Matthias Gebhardt. No attorney represented the University and when asked the administrators could not explain why.

“This step reflects the University’s commitment to continuing its mission and activities while upholding its core values and principles as a Christian institution,” President Jonathan Park said in the statement. “The University remains dedicated to serving its students and community during this transitional period.” The staff has failed to take any accountability and blamed the state for racism.

Olivet was founded by a Korean Christian pastor and professor,  in 2000 as Olivet Theological College & Seminary. In 2004 it became Olivet University and shifted its focus to international students bound for ministry.  The university purchased its 1000-acre Anza property in 204. The organization has 11 satellite campuses across the US. 

Four years ago, the University pleaded guilty in New York to a count of conspiracy and a felony count of falsifying business records in a scheme to fraudulently obtain $35 million from lenders. The school was forced to pay 1.25 million in forfeiture. The Association for Biblical Higher Education, which accredited the School, issued a warning. They said that Olivet University failed to demonstrate “integrity in all of its practices and relationships with strict adherence to ethical standards and its stated policies.”

A federal criminal investigation is pending after four former students sued Olivet alleging they had been victims of human labor trafficking and forced to work without pay. The former students traveled to the U.S. on student visas obtained through Olivet so they could attend the school. When they arrived in the high desert town, they were told they had to work to pay off their debt, according to the lawsuit. In August 2023, a Texas-based company 8fig, alleges the school used a network of other companies to defraud it of more than $6.5 million. The University is involved in a settlement.



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