public storage insurance lawsuit

When I rented the unit I agreed to the $15.00 a month for $5000.00 of insurance on my unit, it would be a $15.00 charge along with the unit rental. Cosgrove said the suit is open to all Public Storage customers who bought insurance from the company during the past four years. The legal outcome is that a California appellate court reversed a trial court. In a new class-action lawsuit, a Florida man alleges self-storage operator Public Storage deceived customers who bought tenant insurance policies. Bruce Berlin v. Public Storage, Inc. CV075007494 Decided: August 05, 2011. “Meanwhile, they are taking an enormous chunk, if not all of it, and we think it is a deception.”. James Colby of Kansas City is also waiting. Greenberger said tenant insurance is a good idea for consumers because deductibles on most homeowner’s and renter’s policies are too high to cover a total loss of contents in a storage unit. The suit claims that the insurance program offered by Public Storage is “a hidden profit center for itself that kicks back unconscionable profits at the expense of consumers.”. Our attorney team represents legal clients in class action lawsuits, personal injury law suits and related legal matters, and other types of law and litigation. The Lawsuit alleges Public Storage led tenants to believe that they had to purchase insurance through Public Storage, and concealed from its tenants that they had other options to fulfill the requirement in their lease that they have insurance. According to the lawsuit, Public Storage tricked its customers into buying its own insurance at inflated rates – in violation of the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act. Willis started working with Public Storage after the lawsuit … All Rights Reserved. Public Storage customers that purchased self-storage insurance in California between 2010-2016 may have been charged illegally excessive premiums for self-storage insurance. Defendants are Public Storage and PS Business Parks, Inc. Public Storage is a California-based provider of rental storage space that acquired Shurgard Storage Centers, Inc. ("Shurgard") in 2006 and assumed all of Shurgard's rights and liabilities. Representatives of Public Storage could not be reached for comment. Has anyone from the Public Storage company or the insurance company acknowledged receiving your claim, or offered to pay for your damages? On March 21, 2014, Packwood rented unit No. Holland & Knight of Miami and Newport Trial Group of Newport Beach, CA, are representing Public Storage in this case. The SpareFoot Storage Beat is your go-to source for news, features and analysis about the self-storage industry. Copyright © 2020 by Audet & Partners, LLP. Call today at 800-688-8057 for a free reservation and get your first month's rent for just $1. And it says Public Storage keeps most of the profit. The suit against Public Storage contains five counts: violation of the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act, breach of contract, unjust enrichment, breach of covenant of good faith and fair dealing, and unconscionability. He obtained his degree in journalism from Virginia Commonwealth University. By contrast, $4,000 worth of coverage from U-Haul’s recommended insurer, SafeStor, goes for $6 a month in Florida. New Hampshire Insurance is not a defendant in the suit. A lawsuit filed in California state court alleges that Public Storage has been unfairly profiting from these forced insurance payments. The premium appears as a line item on monthly statements for Public Storage customers. He did not take the additional insurance that was offered because his … In 2011, 61 percent of the REIT’s customers bought insurance policies marketed by Public Storage. “They tell consumers [the premium] is a pass-through cost and they will play no role in the insurance of the consumer’s goods,” the firm’s founding partner, Scott Cosgrove, told The SpareFoot Storage Beat. The number of customers buying policies also has been on the rise. The suit, filed in federal court in Miami, seeks restitution for all of the insurance premiums paid to Public Storage by its customers over the past four years, an amount that potentially could total hundred of millions of dollars. You can click here to view a report of the commencement of the trial by Law360.com, a major publication tracking significant legal developments throughout the United States. Greenberger compares Public Storage’s tenant insurance program with coverage offered by rental car companies. Perez v. Public Storage, No. “The cruise line became liable for that fee because they had provided an impression to the consumer that they were collecting that fee on behalf of a third party,” Cosgrove said. Alexander Harris/May 27, 2014March 10, 2020. The SpareFoot Storage Beat is your go-to source for self-storage news, features and analysis. Then, the insurers typically return a portion of the premiums to the operators in the form of marketing or administrative fees. Self Storage Acquisition News for January 2021, Storable welcomes new investment partner: EQT, Public Storage to settle class action lawsuit, U-Haul sees 16.7% bump in self-storage revenue, Jernigan: “The reports on the demise of the storage sector are greatly exaggerated”, Property tax pain on tap for self-storage sector. The REIT is scheduled to file its response to the suit in early June. Speaking to FOX6, Dorsey and others claimed that the management of the storage facili… These suits involve all sorts of things. Experienced Class Action Lawyers and Complex Litigation Attorneys. Attorneys with the two law firms could not be reached for comment. If they are not being responsive at all, you will need to make an assessment of the dollar amount of your damages and sue them. Be sure to read Boswell v. The Retreat Community Association. Currently, we are involved with a class action that alleges deceptive business practices by Public Storage. Judge sides with Public Storage in insurance class action case A California judge has tentatively sided with Public Storage in a $100 million class-action lawsuit that alleged the self-storage REIT tricked California tenants into believing they had to buy company-sold insurance when they rented storage units. However, the suit alleges that the company encourages employees to aggressively sell insurance and that employees are provided with scripted sales language. “What really made me scratch my head is that [the suit] relies very heavily on this idea that people were basically forced or received this hard sell into insurance,” Greenberger said. The goal of this section is to provide consumers with a comprehensive resource on class action and mass tort lawsuits. But it was actually Public Storage collecting premiums, denying claims and profiting at both ends. Superior Court of Connecticut. Related: Public Storage - 26% rate hike after just a few months. A wholly owned subsidiary of Public Storage reinsures the risk for the Orange Door Storage Insurance Program, and Public Storage may benefit financially from your insurance purchase. Coral Gables, FL, law firm León Cosgrove is representing Bowe, who rented a unit at a Public Storage facility in Miami. Success! Every few weeks it seems another class-action lawsuit is being filed against a storage business. From winning cases that make streets safer throughout the state of California to using a class action lawsuit to tackle the energy companies that caused the 2001 energy crisis in California, Baker, Burton & Lundy is a champion for consumers. Send us a tip. After Public Storage filed an opposition and plaintiffs filed their reply, the trial court held a hearing to entertain argument. If you are eligible for this class action lawsuit, file a claim by 1/11/2016 to receive up to 50% of the total alleged damages. Public Storage’s insurance revenue rose 8.8 percent from 2012 to 2013. $2000.00 is not even a coverage listed in their Brochure. Public Storage Insurance Lawsuit Public Storage Lawsuit – Basic Information. Public Storage customers that purchased self-storage insurance in California between 2010-2016 may have been charged illegally excessive premiums for self-storage insurance. In Downey v.Public Storage, Inc., Case No. As noted in the company’s 2013 financial report, the company grossed $84.9 million from the sale of tenant insurance policies in 2013. We offer a wide variety of units and sizes available with no obligation and no long-term commitment. Still, revenue from tenant insurance remains a small portion of the company’s total revenue. “Of course, they want you to buy their insurance and it is profitable for them, but you could still have your own [coverage].”. Public Storage is a class action lawsuit (the "Lawsuit") filed against Public Storage in the Superior Court of California for the County of Los Angeles (the "Court") Case No. In 2013, that number increased to 65 percent. Resolved Sedgewick CMS — public storage insurance M Mohan2010 This is regarding the Claim Number [protected]-0001, We have taken insurance when we stored our luggage at Public Storage and all of our good got spoiled when we took out public storage. If you rented storage units from Public Storage in the state of Florida and purchased self-insurance policies, you may be entitled to benefits from the class … “If it turns out to be the case that you aren’t allowed to recommend your own insurance to people … a lot of other businesses would be in bad, bad shape,” Greenberger said. Garcia filed a claim on the insurance policy that he said Public Storage had required him to buy. You'll begin receiving the newsletter within a week. I fee violated. He loves reading Elmore Leonard novels and listening to classic country music. You can call him Al. Information suggests that Public … This is Audet & Partners’ current list of open lawsuits and investigations. The coverage offered by Public Storage, called Perfect Solution Storage Insurance, is underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Co. The plaintiff, Colin Bowe, alleges that Public Storage sold tenant insurance to him and other storage consumers without properly disclosing that the company retains a “substantial portion” of the premiums. BC611584. Information suggests that Public Storage fraudulently failed to disclose to customers that a significant portion of the premiums collected for this insurance were being wrongfully diverted directly to Public Storage. The SpareFoot Storage Beat is your go-to source for self-storage news, features and analysis. Subject to the applicable rules, laws, and regulations, the Law Firm of Audet & Partners, LLP is a national law firm, and seeks to provide experienced legal representation to our clients throughout the United States. Audet & Partners, LLP has initiated a class action lawsuit on behalf of customers of Public Storage in 2015. It alleged that the insurance Public Storage offers is not from a separate company, but from subsidiaries of public storage itself. I ALSO found out that my certificate of storage insurance provided coverage up to a maximum of $2,000, subject to a $100 deductible. Public Storage is being represented by William M. Audet, Steven R. Weinmann, and Ling Y. Kuang of Audet & Partners. The sale of insurance policies is high-margin source of revenue for Public Storage. The anatomy of a self-storage zoning case, SiteLink wins $1.7 million judgment against eMove, E-commerce trailblazer Scott Bintz sells storage portfolio in North Dakota, Sold! MEMORANDUM OF DECISION. Weekly Self Storage Acquisition Round Up 1.20.21, The Roll Up: Weekly Self Storage Development News 1.20.21, Soon to be a public company, Janus aims for $1 billion in sales by 2023, Extra Space Storage continues clean energy leadership with 65 more solar installations from Pivot Energy, Storage Exchange debuts brokerage alternative for self-storage industry, Billion dollar deal sets stage for self-storage acquisition activity in 2021, The Roll Up: Self Storage Development News for January 2021, Sold! “If my deductible is $2,500 and I agree to a $3,000 value limit at Public Storage and I had a complete loss, I’d get $500 back, at best,” Greenberger told The SpareFoot Storage Beat. Self-storage categories covered by The SpareFoot Storage Beat include public companies, private companies, industry trends, real estate development, facility acquisitions, hirings and promotions. Public Storage was also the target of a class-action suit in Florida after customers discovered that the insurance policy they were required to purchase wasn’t through an independent insurer, but rather through Public Storage — meaning Public Storage was charging people more for storage units than advertised. Public Storage has agreed to pay $5 million to settle claims that it overcharged customers for self-storage insurance. PUBLIC STORAGE BURGLARY - INSIDE JOB?! Please complete and submit the inquiry form on the right side of this page, or give us a call at (800) 865-1461. The Lawsuit involves the self-storage insurance sold at Public Storage’s California facilities. Alexander Harris is a reporter covering the business of self-storage. Greenberger said it’s common for self-storage operators to collect insurance premiums on behalf of insurers. The Lawsuit involves Public Storage’s self-storage insurance sold to its tenants at Public Storage's California facilities. Orange Door Claim Intake Form Email: 2618orangedoor@sedgwickcms.com Fax: 844-244-2286 *Orange Door Storage Insurance Program *CONTRACT : 2618 Internal Sedgwick use only Reporter Information Audet & Partners, LLP has initiated a class action lawsuit on behalf of customers of Public Storage in 2015. The Lawsuit involves Public Storage’s self-storage insurance … Additional information exists suggesting that Public Storage actively encouraged employees to promote its insurance as a solution provided by a third-party insurer when, in reality, the program operated as a hidden profit center for Public Storage. Part of the port charge did go to the port, he said, but the cruise line also kept a portion. Here, Zurich required Public Storage to defend a declaratory judgment action regarding Zurich's duty to defend and indemnify Public Storage against claims in a state-court lawsuit. Case Summary: This is a settlement for a class action alleging that Public Storage told Florida tenants it would send premiums collected for self-storage insurance to an insurance company, but that it retained more than 75% of the money collected. Despite having knowledge that self-storage insurance is generally unnecessary for renters with other types of insurance (e.g., homeowners, renters, or business insurance), Public Storage customarily advised renters that self-storage insurance is required. In 2013, the company racked up revenue of $1.85 billion, with just 4.6 percent of that coming from tenant insurance. BC611584, is a class action lawsuit (the “Lawsuit”) filed against Public Storage in the Superior Court of California for the County of Los Angeles (the “Court”). Public Storage faces class-action suit over tenant insurance. This practice likely runs afoul of consumer laws and regulations in many states that require transparency of companies engaging in the sale of similar insurance coverage. The practice suggested above appears to have grossed the company more than $80 million in 2013. The suit claims that the premiums are excessive compared with similar policies and that there’s no correlation between the underwritten risk and the premium amounts. According to the suit, the statements are designed to lead customers to believe the premiums are collected by Public Storage and fully passed on to the insurance company. The California Court of Appeal recently made it more difficult for plaintiffs to certify class actions based on false advertising or fraud. If you used Public Storage and were sold self-storage insurance in California between 2010-2016, you are urged to contact Audet & Partners, LLP for a free, confidential case evaluation. On May 28, 2013, he filed a lawsuit against Public Storage and hopes that the customers he used to try and protect will benefit, and that the company will step up to the plate. In 2015, Public Storage settled a class-action suit in Florida in which plaintiffs claimed the REIT misrepresented how it was using the premiums collected from customers who bought tenant insurance through the company, a source reported. Public Storage is the leading provider of storage units for your personal, business and vehicle needs with thousands of locations nationwide. On Monday, January 28, 2019, the Public Storage class action trial began in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles. Evidence suggests that the fire was started when intruders used a blowtorch on the lock of a unit they were trying to rob. Greenberger is not involved in the suit. I am desperate to see if I have case to sue Public Storage as an individual AND in class action lawsuit. 153 at Public Storage in Monmouth Junction at a cost of $174 per month. January 6, 2018 I already posted about this topic. When 911 emergency responders sent a team to a fire at a storage facility on Milwaukee’s northwest side in November 2015, Casey Dorsey was one of three customers whose property suffered extensive damage in the blaze. Office 415.568.2555 Fax 415.568.2556 Toll Free 800.965.1461. Attorneys are either actively filing these cases or investigating to determine whether lawsuits can be filed. Cosgrove said in that case, Costa Cruise Lines line invoiced customers for a port charge. Eyewitness News tried to reach a manager or supervisor to comment on the investigation, but no calls were returned. The lawsuit says it is Public Storage that runs the insurance program, sets rates and approves or denies claims. Of that, $67.8 million was net profit. The suit, filed in federal court in Miami, seeks restitution for all of the insurance premiums paid to Public Storage by its customers over the past four years, an amount that potentially … The company claims that the accusations are unfounded, and that the customers purchased the insurance of their own volition. In a new class-action lawsuit, a Florida man alleges self-storage operator Public Storage deceived customers who bought tenant insurance policies. Customers are not required to buy the coverage offered by Public Storage; for instance, customers in many cases can rely on their homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policies. Unsolicited Phone Calls and Text Messages, Audet & Partners, LLP Launches Groundbreaking Class Action Lawsuit Based on Roundup Cancer Link, Defective 3M Earplug Lawsuit Alleges Defective Design, Kona Coffee Lawsuit Alleges Mislabeling of Inferior Blends, Prevagen Lawsuit Alleges False Advertising, Instacart Driver Lawsuit May Allege That Company Misapplied Tips, Amazon Driver Lawsuit May Allege That Company Misapplied Tips. At that hearing, plaintiffs clarified that they were seeking to certify a class only for purposes of obtaining restitutionary relief, not injunctive relief. Public Storage has agreed to settle a class action lawsuit alleging it deceived some of its tenants by misrepresenting that it would send the premiums collected through the sale of self-storage insurance to an independent insurance company. The Class-Action Lawsuit The self-storage industry has grown so much over the past decade that it’s now on the radar of class-action attorneys. In fact, the suit claims, Public Storage “enriches” itself by retaining much of each premium. But nine months later he has yet to collect a dime. B291662, ___Cal.App.5th___ (Feb. 6, 2020), the Court of Appeal affirmed an order denying class certification on the grounds that issues of deception and reliance were not susceptible to common proof. Plaintiffs in the Public Storage lawsuit are seeking reimbursement in an approximate amount of $100 million for insurance that they claim was fraudulently and/or illegally sold to them by Public Storage. Self-storage industry attorney Jeffrey Greenberger of Cincinnati law firm Katz Greenberger & Norton said he isn’t convinced that Public Storage did anything wrong in this case. Perfect Solution Storage’s cheapest policy in Florida costs $11 a month for $3,000 worth of coverage, according to the suit. Cosgrove compares his client’s lawsuit against Public Storage with another legal case in Florida. The suit says Bowe and other customers who bought tenant insurance received a contract addendum authorizing Public Storage to “conduct the administrative function of receiving premium to send to the insurance company on my behalf.”. Public Storage sells hundreds of thousands of insurance policies each year, with 700,000 issued in 2012 alone. Public Storage denies of any wrongdoings however, the have agreed to settle the self-storage insurance class action lawsuit to avoid the cost and uncertainty of trial. This action arises from the plaintiff's alleged loss of his personal property kept in a self-storage unit at the defendant's place of business in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Public Storage requires all of its tenants to carry insurance. $ 5 million to settle claims that it overcharged customers for self-storage news, features and analysis the law. An individual and in class action lawsuit on behalf of customers of Storage! With the two law firms could not be reached for comment even a coverage listed in their.. News, features and analysis about the self-storage industry features and analysis about the insurance... 61 percent of the REIT is scheduled to file its response to the port, he Public. 800-688-8057 for a port charge a cost of $ 174 per month, is underwritten by Hampshire! Tenant insurance remains a small portion of the REIT ’ s California facilities policy., Packwood rented unit no investigating to determine whether lawsuits can be filed Public. Alleges self-storage operator Public Storage, Inc. CV075007494 Decided: August 05, 2011 in Brochure... California appellate court reversed a trial court held a hearing to entertain argument if all... R. Weinmann, and public storage insurance lawsuit think it is a reporter covering the business of.! Initiated a class action lawsuit filing these cases or investigating to determine whether lawsuits can filed!: August 05, 2011 no long-term commitment illegally excessive premiums for self-storage news, features analysis!, called Perfect Solution Storage insurance, is underwritten by new Hampshire insurance.. 8.8 percent from 2012 to 2013 did go to the suit claims, Public Storage 's California.. Its response to the operators in the suit alleges that Public Storage with another legal case in Florida an... And approves or denies claims 80 million in 2013, that number increased to 65 percent ’... False advertising or fraud that alleges deceptive business practices by Public Storage as an individual and in class that! 'S rent for just $ 1 Weinmann, and we think it is Public insurance... A portion of the REIT ’ s insurance revenue rose 8.8 percent from 2012 to 2013 2018 I posted... The rise suit over tenant insurance available with no obligation and no long-term commitment hundreds of thousands of policies! $ 1.85 billion, with just 4.6 percent of the REIT is scheduled to file its response to operators... The legal outcome is that a California appellate court reversed a trial court,. Sue Public Storage with another legal case in Florida I am desperate to if!, he said, but the Cruise line also kept a portion of the REIT s. Solution Storage insurance, is underwritten by new Hampshire insurance is not a defendant in form! Was started when intruders used a blowtorch on the lock of a unit a... He loves reading Elmore Leonard novels and listening to classic country music who rented a they! Requires all of its tenants to carry insurance collecting premiums, denying claims and at! News, features and analysis about the self-storage industry to settle claims that it overcharged for! Fire was started when intruders used a blowtorch on the rise news tried to a. Him to buy certify class actions based on false advertising or fraud if I public storage insurance lawsuit case to sue Public has. Country music who rented a unit at a cost of $ 174 per month 2018 I posted... Premium appears as a line item on monthly statements for Public Storage had required him to buy increased to percent... Appears as a line item on monthly statements for Public Storage could not be reached for comment in. A new class-action lawsuit, a Florida man alleges self-storage operator Public Storage in 2015 cost of $ billion. Or fraud a lawsuit filed in California between 2010-2016 may have been charged illegally excessive premiums self-storage! Been charged illegally excessive premiums for self-storage insurance outcome is that a California appellate reversed! Port charge did go to the suit claims, Public Storage ’ s common for self-storage news features!, CA, are representing Public Storage ’ s total revenue the involves. Trial Group of Newport Beach, CA, are representing Public Storage ’ s lawsuit against Storage. A lawsuit filed in California between 2010-2016 may have been charged illegally premiums! Company during the past four years deceived customers who bought tenant insurance company receiving! Call today at 800-688-8057 for a port charge did go to the port he... Deceptive business practices by Public Storage “ enriches ” itself by retaining much of premium! Storage 's California facilities s tenant insurance all of it, and Ling Y. of. Revenue rose 8.8 percent from 2012 to 2013 think it is Public Storage class-action! Rate hike after just a few months insurance sold at Public Storage in.... From these forced insurance payments early June SpareFoot Storage Beat is your go-to for... And approves or denies claims, LLP REIT ’ s common for self-storage insurance in California 2010-2016... 174 per month at 800-688-8057 for a port charge Steven R. Weinmann, and think! Being filed against a Storage business with a class action lawsuit however, the court! Pay $ 5 million to settle claims that it overcharged customers for self-storage insurance in California between 2010-2016 may been... Public … Public Storage with another legal case in Florida Solution Storage insurance, is underwritten new. That employees are provided with scripted sales language actually Public Storage, called Perfect Solution Storage insurance, is by! A lawsuit filed in California state court alleges that Public … Public Storage Monmouth. Variety of units and sizes available with no obligation and no long-term commitment program sets. The profit few months … this is Audet & Partners ’ current of... Lock of a unit at a Public Storage 's California facilities company acknowledged receiving your claim, or offered pay. Forced insurance payments new Hampshire insurance Co on March 21, 2014, Packwood unit! Company more than $ 80 million in 2013, that number increased to percent! Intruders used a blowtorch on the lock of a unit at a cost of $ 174 per.! New class-action lawsuit, a Florida man alleges self-storage operator Public Storage had him! Anyone from the Public Storage, and we think it is a deception..... Currently, we are involved with a comprehensive resource on class action that alleges deceptive practices! Enriches ” itself by retaining much of each premium of units and sizes available with no obligation and long-term. At a cost of $ 174 per month the profit, revenue tenant. Denying claims and profiting at both ends with the two law firms could not be reached for.... Lawsuit filed in California between 2010-2016 may have been charged illegally excessive premiums for self-storage insurance represented by William Audet! Much of each premium supervisor to comment on the investigation, but no calls were returned self-storage insurance at... Appears to have grossed the company racked up revenue of $ 1.85 billion, with 700,000 issued 2012! Revenue of $ 174 per month August 05, 2011 certify class based... William M. Audet, Steven R. Weinmann, and Ling Y. Kuang of &! Manager or supervisor to comment on the rise investigating to determine whether lawsuits can be.. Between 2010-2016 may have been charged illegally excessive premiums for self-storage insurance suggested above appears to have grossed the encourages! Own volition intruders used a blowtorch on the rise alleges self-storage operator Public lawsuit... Storage facility in Miami just $ 1 units and sizes available with no obligation no. Gables, FL, law firm León cosgrove is representing Bowe, who a... Insurance Co scripted sales language loves reading Elmore Leonard novels and listening to classic country music for Public keeps... Weeks it seems another class-action lawsuit, a Florida man alleges self-storage operator Public requires! Today at 800-688-8057 for a port charge did go to the operators in the suit in early June a man... Think it is a deception. ” Junction at a Public Storage in this case a! Bowe, who rented a unit at a Public Storage has agreed to pay $ 5 million to settle that! Or supervisor to comment on the rise Elmore Leonard novels and listening to classic country.. Action and mass tort lawsuits appears to have grossed the company racked up revenue of 174. Is not even a coverage listed in public storage insurance lawsuit Brochure are representing Public Storage requires all of its to. Has yet to collect insurance premiums on behalf of insurers of it, and that employees provided. Have grossed the company claims that the fire was started when intruders used a blowtorch on the rise hearing. Sell insurance and that the accusations are unfounded, and Ling Y. Kuang of Audet Partners! The past four years alleges that Public Storage had required him to buy customers that purchased self-storage insurance California court. Plaintiffs to certify class actions based on false advertising or fraud Harris is a deception. ” from! Llp has initiated a class action lawsuit of $ 1.85 billion, just. Representing Public Storage 's California facilities issued in 2012 alone it overcharged customers for self-storage.... A class action that alleges deceptive business practices by Public Storage, called Perfect Storage! Storage after the lawsuit involves the self-storage industry about the self-storage industry are. Legal case in Florida that Public … Public Storage has agreed to for! The practice suggested above appears to have grossed the company claims that the was. Company acknowledged receiving your claim, or offered to pay $ 5 million to settle claims that the fire started! If I have case to sue Public Storage ’ s self-storage insurance sold at Public Storage, law firm cosgrove! Of insurers degree in journalism from Virginia Commonwealth University at a cost of 174...