Hawaii Litigation Update: Brighton University

On January 3, 2002 the First Circuit Court of the State of Hawaii entered a default judgment against Brighton University (a Hawaii corporation), Brighton University, Inc. (a Missouri corporation) and its principal Mark H. Seyer (formerly of Fresno).

Under the terms of the judgment, BU, BUI and Seyer are enjoined from operating any degree granting institution in, from or under the color of Hawaii law and are also enjoined from owning or operating any other business from Hawaii. The judgment also directs the state's Business Registration Division to terminate the Hawaii corporate existence of Brighton University which had been kept active by the filing of false and forged annual corporate exhibits by Stanley and Robert Keller. The judgment also requires the mail-forwarding services to cease forwarding mail and providing any other services.

The three defendants are also required to offer full restitution to any individual who enrolled in or made payment to Brighton and to pay civil penalties of $500,000 each.

Defendant Seyer apparently passed away in late October 2002 in California. A settlement was also reached with former principal Ronald Bealert of Tucson, Arizona in which he agreed to cease doing any business or operating an degree granting institutions.

Anyone wishing to see an unfiled electronic version of the default judgment may email requests to [email protected]

Jeffrey E. Brunton
Staff Attorney
Office of Consumer Protection
State of Hawaii