The judge ordered that the fine go to a fund held by the former Corinthian students’ attorneys.
It’s meant to help defray the damages and expenses associated with the improper collection of the loans, she said.
It’s highly unusual, but not unprecedented, for a federal judge to hold an agency head in contempt or issue fines.
In 2011, during the Obama administration, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar was held in contempt by a judge over a moratorium on oil drilling.
In 2002, during the George W. Bush administration, Interior Secretary Gale Norton was held in contempt in a Native American land trust case.
DeVos earlier this month sparred about the possible contempt finding with Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.
“Loan servicers made an error on a small # of loans,” DeVos tweeted at the time. »
