Federal authorities have concluded a human trafficking investigation into Olivet University and will not file criminal charges against the institution or any affiliated individuals. The decision was confirmed in a joint status report filed in federal court, effectively ending the criminal probe that stemmed from allegations made by former students.
Key Takeaways
- Homeland Security Investigations will not file criminal charges against Olivet University following a human trafficking probe.
- The university has consistently maintained the allegations were part of a fraudulent scheme by former students to obtain T-visas for permanent residency.
- A civil lawsuit filed by the former students, which was paused for the federal investigation, is now expected to proceed.
- Olivet University is involved in a separate defamation lawsuit against Newsweek's CEO and several staff members, alleging a coordinated media campaign.
Federal Investigation Concludes Without Charges
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Assistant United States Attorney's Office have officially declined to pursue criminal charges against Olivet University. The decision was announced in a joint status report filed on Tuesday in the United States District Court for the Central District of California.
The filing states, “The parties have recently been informed by an agent from Homeland Security Investigations that no charges are going to be filed against Olivet University or anyone else affiliated with Olivet University that arise out of or are related to Plaintiffs’ claims.”
As a result of this development, items that were held as evidence are being returned to the university. The civil lawsuit brought by the former students, which had been stayed under federal law pending the outcome of the criminal investigation, is now expected to resume.
Legal Proceedings to Resume
The court filing indicated that both parties will now work to lift the stay on the civil case. This will allow the legal process, including Olivet University's response to the plaintiffs' complaint, to move forward. The university has also filed a countersuit against the students alleging fraud and deceit.
Olivet University Alleges Visa Fraud Scheme
Throughout the investigation, Olivet University has asserted that the allegations were fabricated. University President Jonathan Park reiterated this position following the federal decision.
"This decision affirms what we have consistently maintained: the accusations against our institution were false and unfounded," Park stated. He described the claims as part of a sophisticated T-visa scheme, where individuals fraudulently use human trafficking claims to change their temporary visa status to permanent residency.
The initial allegations came from four former international students: Dawin Liranzo Galan, Roland Broccko, Minerva Ruiz, and Rebecca Singh. They claimed in a civil lawsuit that they were forced to work long hours for free, confined, and surveilled while they were supposed to be studying on full scholarships.
Park condemned the actions of those who made the claims, stating, "The real danger came not from Olivet University, but from those individuals who deliberately lied about our school, manipulated the U.S. visa system, and colluded with certain media outlets to spread false narratives."
Additional Claims and University Response
Beyond the four students in the civil suit, two former Chinese students, Tingbo Cao and Qilian Zhou, made similar claims of forced labor. They are not part of the current lawsuit.
In response, Olivet University's attorneys previously sent a letter to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement requesting an investigation into Cao, Zhou, and another individual named Sophia Yu. The letter accused them of filing a “malicious and false human trafficking report” to obtain T-visas. The university identified Sophia Yu as the “mastermind behind the scheme.”
What is a T-Visa?
The T nonimmigrant status (T-visa) is a temporary immigration benefit that allows certain victims of a severe form of human trafficking to remain in the United States. It is designed to protect victims and help law enforcement in the investigation and prosecution of human trafficking cases.
Separate Lawsuit Targets Newsweek Leadership
The conclusion of the federal probe comes amid a separate and complex legal battle between Olivet University and the leadership of Newsweek. Three months ago, Olivet filed a defamation lawsuit against Newsweek's Publisher and CEO, Dev Pragad, and several key staff members, including Naveed Jamali, Dayan Candappa, Nancy Cooper, and Alex Rouhandeh.
The lawsuit accuses them of leveraging Newsweek's brand to publish “wild, criminal accusations” against the university as part of an ongoing business dispute over the media company's ownership.
Olivet University is affiliated with the World Olivet Assembly, a global denomination of which Pragad was once a member. The lawsuit alleges that in 2022, Pragad attempted to gain full ownership of Newsweek for free. When investors associated with the church did not comply, he allegedly threatened to use the media to attack Olivet with claims of human trafficking.
"Pragad threatened via text messages to ‘go to [the] media about Olivet’ to attack it with claims of ‘human trafficking’ if Olivet did not reach a ‘special arrangement’ by forcing its members to give Pragad full control of Newsweek," the lawsuit claims.
According to the legal filing, Newsweek published a series of 20 articles starting on June 27, 2022, containing what Olivet describes as “numerous false and defamatory statements.”
Investor Lawsuit Accuses CEO of Misconduct
Dev Pragad is also the subject of another lawsuit filed in August by six investors. The suit alleges breach of contract and claims Pragad deceived them into selling Newsweek to him in 2018 under false pretenses.
The investors claim Pragad enriched himself without board approval, increasing his salary to over $1.1 million in 2021 and authorizing a 300% bonus for himself that same year, totaling more than $4.7 million in annual compensation. The lawsuit also details his purchase of a $3.4 million mansion and other luxury items while allegedly failing to return profits to investors.
University Moves Forward with Expansion Plans
Despite the legal challenges, Olivet University has received significant local support for its future development. The university's main campus in Anza, California, which sits on over 900 acres, recently received unanimous zoning approval for expansion from Riverside County’s planning committees and Board of Supervisors.
This approval allows the university to apply for permits to construct new buildings for academic instruction, student housing, worship, and recreation.
"We're excited to grow in ways that align with our mission and benefit everyone," President Park said about the approval. "This is more than a zoning change— it's a turning point for Christian higher education in Anza."
Olivet University's National Presence
In addition to its Anza headquarters, Olivet University operates campuses in San Francisco, Washington, D.C., St. Louis, Nashville, and Orlando. In 2022, its campus in New York had its operating permit renewal denied by the state's education department.
