Founder of Progressive Christian Academy Files Lawsuit Alleging Fraud

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The founder of a Macon private school filed a lawsuit claiming a Florida company defrauded her and took control of her school to turn in into a for-profit business.

78-year-old Betty Tolbert is the founder of Progressive Christian Academy in Macon. She, along with her non profit B. Johnson Ministries Inc., filed the suit with the Superior Court of Bibb County on Thursday.

Tolbert hired Sunrise Enterprises, Inc. of Palm Beach County to help with the school’s financial problems, but according to the lawsuit, “in reality their purpose was to gain control of it for the purpose of converting it and its property to their sole use and benefit.” The lawsuit alleges employees from the Florida company were sent to the school “under the guise of helping [Tolbert] expand the pre-school program when in reality it was part of Defendant’s fraudulent plan to take over Progressive Christian Academy and convert it to a for profit business.”

Attorney Lonzy Edwards is representing Tolbert. He says he can’t comment on specifics of the lawsuit, but does say this experience has been tough for her.

“As you can imagine this is not a happy moment for her or her family. It is something that is upsetting to her and her many friends,” Edwards said. “Obviously any human being would be devastated to see their life work go up in smoke.”

Tolbert also got a restraining order against the Florida company and the new owners of the school, prohibiting them from “encumbering, altering, leasing, or selling any of the real estate.” Edwards says that is to keep the situation as it is now until she can have her day in court.

A hearing on the temporary restraining order is scheduled for November 12th.

The Department of Early Care and Learning is also investigating the school “concerning potential employee issues.” Several parents reached out to 41NBC with concerns regarding the background of the new owners.