Screwed and Tattooed, Foreign Students Say
Screwed and Tattooed, Foreign Students Say
PENSACOLA, Fla. (CN) - Global Education Concepts defrauded dozens of foreign students, put them to forced labor, and stuffed them into crowded, unsafe housing in a State Department-sponsored "work and travel program," 39 students claim in court.
The students sued Global Educational Concepts (GEC), its parent company Southwestern/Great American, and their "housing manager," Andrew Shepitko, in Okaloosa County Court.
Also named as defendants are Northumberland Hotel Partners (NHP), CN Palm Street Hotel Partners (PALM), and Winn-Dixie Stores, which put the plaintiffs to work at their stores and hotels in Florida.
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When they tried to find second jobs, Shepitko and GEC asked the students to pay them $2 for every hour they worked at their second jobs, according to the complaint.
Many students say they were left with no money for food, and suffered severe emotional distress from lack of food, sleep, housing and transportation.
http://www.courthousenews.com/2012/11/27/52558.htm