Sequoia University was an unaccredited higher education institution in Los Angeles, California, which acquired a reputation as a prolific "degree mill" selling degree certificates. Although it was shut down in 1984 by a court order, it is most notable today as the institution from which L. Ron Hubbard obtained an honorary "Doctorate of Philosophy" in the 1950s. In 2009, Britain released documents from a California agency stating that Sequoia was never approved nor recognized as a school. Ownership and operations The "university" was originally known as the College of Drugless Healing. Despite claims that it operated strictly through a post office box and delivered mail-order doctorates without classes or exams, it actually had a number of locations and classes through its storied history. It was unofficially founded in 1950 by psychologist David Seabury, who was both its President and also had an honorary PhD from Sequoia University. Sequoia University initially operated in combination with Seabury University at 535 S. Hoover, Room 426 from 1950. Both Sequoia University Press and graduation ceremonies were also held at 5617 Hollywood Blvd, Room 103. It also had a satellite location at 2610 W. 8th, Room 3 in 1951. It later relocated to 920 S. Grandview St. in 1952. It officially changed its name to Sequoia University on August 20, 1952, and became ratified on August 27, 1952 under a chiropodist named Joseph Hough. It relocated to his home at 915 S. Grandview, from 1952-1956. In 1956, it eventually moved to 5625 Melrose Avenue. The university also had various departments: a library, a Slavic studies department, Russian, Spanish and other languages, psychology and psychotherapy, and others. Hough's own doctorate was said to have been bogus, reportedly having been purchased from the unaccredited Free University of Mexico in 1938. He was investigated in 1957 by a California State Assembly investigation into degree mills operating in the state, but took the Fifth Amendment 22 times in the course of his testimony and refused to divulge information about Sequoia's activities. During a legal crackdown on unaccredited Californian educational institutions in 1984, a Los Angeles judge issued a permanent injunction ordering it to cease operating "until it complies with the state education laws." At the time it had outlets in both California and Oklahoma, and was still offering degrees in osteopathic medicine, religious studies, hydrotherapy, and physical sciences. Among the affected was the Federal government as evidenced by a