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Students Protest Sudden Closure Of Dade Medical College

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Students and teachers from Dade Medical College protested outside the school's corporate office in Coral Gables Monday. They're angry that their school suddenly closed Friday with no explanation.

"All my credits for nursing are done. Now I'm in the middle of nowhere. Two years of sacrifice, myself, my family, nursing is a hard," said student Lilianny Sosa.

Sosa had two days left before completing her coursework for her associate degree in nursing. Now she's left with no degree and a huge debt.

"How much are you in debt because of school?" CBS4's Ted Scouten asked Sosa.

"Almost 50 grand. Almost 50 grand," she replied.

Students aren't the only ones who are stunned.

"The only explanation they provided was a single email, 'From this moment on the college is closed.'  Period!" said Professor Ramon Gonzalez.

Gonzalez taught microbiology until last Friday. He said his trouble began when his payroll check bounced.

"The owner of the college left employees without payment for more than a month. Let me tell you, I haven't been paid in weeks. So they owe me money since September 28th," he said.

When CBS4 went inside the building to go to the seventh floor where the Dade Medical College's Corp. Offices were, security officers said the area was off limits and that no one inside anyways.

CBS4 then went to the home of School Chairman Ernesto Perez. There was security in the driveway, but no one was home.

"This is a teaching institution. He was getting federal loans for us. What was he doing with all that money? Where is it, where did it go?" said Gueimi Yzquierdo.

CBS4 news partner the Miami Herald reported because of federal scrutiny and mounting debt Perez was not able to keep the college from going out of business.  But it also left students and teachers wondering what to do next.

"It's not just about the money. It's about two  years of us fighting for our dreams," said Sosa. "Waking up early to study, going home late, not be able to have a social life because we have to study."

Students told CBS4 that their protesting is not over yet. They're planning another one for Tuesday.

CBS4 News has learned that Perez is expected to surrender Tuesday morning at a Miami-Dade courtroom where he will be charged with a single count of violating state campaign finance laws.

In a deal with prosecutors, he is expected to plead guilty in front of Circuit Court Judge Stacy Glick and receive a minimal sentence.

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