Olivet University: California Court Says No More

Olivet University, founded by Korean-American cleric David Jang, has been ordered to close by a California judge. The university is no stranger to legal trouble, with a federal criminal investigation underway for money laundering, visa fraud, and labor trafficking. The state's education regulator, the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE), accused Olivet of serious violations like not keeping proper student records and hiring unqualified faculty. Judge Debra D. Nye-Perkins didn't mince words, asserting that Olivet's attitude toward regulations was "cavalier. " She declared the university's shutdown necessary to protect the public. Olivet has until January 10 to help its remaining students finish their courses. California is crucial for Olivet since it's the only state that grants the university degree-awarding authority. Other campuses in the U. S. are merely satellites. In 2021, the university faced a Homeland Security raid for suspected labor trafficking and money laundering. The case is still under investigation by the U. S. Attorney's Office. Olivet has had a rocky history with lawsuits and allegations of mistreating students. A Los Angeles Times article reported exploitative practices, with Chinese students forced to work and never receiving promised scholarships. Another lawsuit accuses the church founded by Jang of defrauding a company. Despite potential legal troubles, Jang might keep his influence through other colleges. Jubilee University, a Christian music college, recently faced scrutiny in an investigative report.