ESCONDIDO — A 41-year-old woman was arrested last week on felony charges stemming from alleged fraud and theft of students at a beauty school.
Tramy Van, owner of Tramy Beauty School, which has campuses in Escondido (641 N. Broadway) and San Diego, was booked into the Vista jail on $20,000.
She is charged with felony grand theft and theft under false pretenses.
Van’s arrest is the result of an investigation conducted by the Buearu of Private Postsecondary Education Bureau and Department of Consumer Affairs Division of Investigation.
According to media reports, students said Van told them they could pay for a license without taking the required classes.
“Students who paid out of pocket, she signed them up for financial aid behind their back and then pocketing that financial aid as well,” said student Matt Mizel.
Other students who have not finished their coursework were left wondering whether their classes could be applied at another school.
The school, though, does not have to close.
“A lot of people are still confused because they don’t know if the school is going to close down,” Mizel added.
According to consumer affairs, the U.S. Department of Education placed the school on Heightened Cash Monitoring 2, which meant the school could no longer receive federal tuition funds in advance and would have to seek reimbursement.
In addition, the school was also on probation with its accreditor, the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences.
Van holds a barber, cosmetologist, esthetician and manicurist license with the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology.
Students who may have been harmed by Van may file a complaint by calling (916) 431-6959.
