Dallas

Investigators Seize Millions in Assets From Vocational School Owner

Federal investigators have seized millions of dollars in assets from the owner of Retail Ready Career Center in Garland, the for-profit vocational school attended by more than 300 veterans that abruptly shut down in late September.

Students said they were in the middle of a six-week HVAC certification course when they were told the school was closing and they needed to leave campus.

"When the school closed, it really took me by surprise," said one former student, Marine veteran Patrick Thompson.

Investigators from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs executed a search warrant at the school a week prior to the school's closure, looking for evidence of possible fraud.

The Texas Veterans Commission later withdrew the career center's approval to train veterans using VA Education benefits in the school's heating and air conditioning program.

Court records show the government has now seized more than $4.5 million in one school account, along with funds found in several others connected to the school.

Investigators also seized several luxury cars belonging to the school's owner, Jonathan Davis, including a Lamborghini, a Ferrari, a Bentley and two Mercedes.

A $2 million Addison home that belongs to Davis has also been seized.

"Definitely leaves me in awe as to why you shut the school down if you have the money to purchase all of these luxurious items, then you can continue your school," Thompson said. "We're three weeks into the program, we only had three weeks to go."

Davis' attorney, Derek Staub, says his client is fighting the forfeitures and denies there was any fraud at the school.

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