BREAUX BRIDGE, La. (KLFY)- UPDATE: T.M. Landry’s administration is expected to make an official statement on the recent claims of abuse and fraud published in a New York Times. As of now, no statement has been released.
This evening, however, the school shared the post below on social media:
 
ORIGINAL STORY: A bombshell New York Times article published Friday claims T.M. Landry College Preparatory in Breaux Bridge cut corners, falsified transcripts and made up student accomplishments.
It was all allegedly to get students into the top Ivy League schools in the nation.
 
There was an emergency closed door meeting Friday night at 6 p.m.  for all faculty, staff and some parents of on T.M Landry students.
 
The unaccredited school was founded by Michael Landry and his wife Tracey in 2005. 
The Landrys tauted their unconventional teaching techniques that they considered “outside the box”. 
 
T.M. Landry has been known for their students’ success on the ACT, and those viral videos of students being accepted to Ivy League schools across the nation.

But now The Times claims that it was all a sham and the school fostered a culture of abuse from its leader. 
 
In September, KLFY met with nearly a dozen parents, students, and former teachers, who claimed the schools founders, Mike and Tracey Landry created a hostile work environment, and doctored students’ college applications.
 
“And it was complete fraud. It definitely was fraud,” said Letarchia Lewis.
 
Lewis took her daughter out of T.M. Landry back in July for some of those same claims.
After the allegations were made public in a scathing New York Times report, she said she was lied too.
 
“I saw the videos and I wanted exactly what I saw in the videos for my children. I wanted that for them and that was very motivating, and very inspirational. And when we went to the school to tour the school, he (Michael) gave us the impression that, that was exactly what we were going to get,” said Lewis.
 
T.M. Landry moved to an old factory building in Breaux Bridge in 2017.
The school has plans for expansion, including moving into the Northgate Mall in 2019.
 
The article also mentions Michael Landry’s tough teaching style, where he was allegedly physically and mentally abusive to students.
 
“Not physically, but emotionally I’ve been hurt,” said Ana Lewis, a former student describing her feelings on T.M. Landry after the article was released.
 
 New York Times reporters Katie Benner and Erica Green wrote the investigative article.
 
“Both parents and students used the word ‘cult’ in almost every single interview. Many of them said again and again, ‘It felt like a cult. It felt like we were supposed to be a family, or we were supposed to be supporting one another. We were also supposed to keep secrets from one another,'” said Benner.
 
“No parent wants to read that. To know that you entrusted this man with your children. And not only did he not teach you, not only did they not teach your children, but he also was abusing other people’s children. So I’m quite upset,” said Lewis.
 
An attorney for T.M. Landry sent KLFY a statement from Michael and Tracey Landry. “They are steadfast in fulfilling their obligations to their current students and future students to continue to afford all children the opportunity to get the education that they deserve. They appreciate the continued support and prayers of the communities they work so hard to serve.” – Dwazendra J. Smith
 
The statement also says Michael and Tracey Landry are in the process of consulting with their attorneys and plan on providing a more substantive press release hopefully early next week.
 
And as we mentioned, the allegations were first brought to us by parents of former students and former teachers who worked at T.M. Landry.
They say they want to make parents and the community aware of what’s happening behind closed doors.
Reports of battery have been investigated by local authorities.