a "reasonable" basis to investigate the charges. The school remained closed. The agreement stipulates, "The findings as regards MBA will be modified to replace the ‘substantiated’ with the following two sentences: ‘Based on the evidence available to the Department (DHS), the Department found that there is reasonable cause to believe that abuse or neglect occurred. The Department’s conclusion is based on evidence collected solely by the Department as of Nov. 2, 2009 and not on information provided or available after that date.'" DHS director of children, adults and families, Erinn Kelley-Siel made the following statement: "MBA acknowledged that based on the evidence available to DHS on Nov. 2, 2009, the agency had reasonable cause to believe that abuse or neglect occurred at the school as uncovered by the investigation, In addition, MBA agrees that DHS had a reasonable basis to investigate the allegations of abuse and neglect and to seek corrective actions." Aspen Education Group President, Phil Herschman made the following statements: "The DHS’ withdrawal of its order suspending MBA’s license supports our position that they did not have justification for that order in the first place," and, "The [Department of Health Services] has acknowledged with this settlement that in fact there was additional evidence no abuse had occurred." His statement added "Despite the tragic circumstances of Mount Bachelor [Academy’s] closure, we hope to open a new, even more successful school on the MBA campus in the future." In July 2011, some former students of the school sued the school and the two companies that owned it, claiming intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress, as well as other torts. The nine plaintiffs sought approximately $14.3 million in damages. In November 2011, another suit was filed by an additional 11 students, alleging humiliation, physical and sexual and seeking $23 million in damages. In December 2013, three lawsuits filed by Oregon lawyer, Kelly Clark are taken over by partners of the law firm O’Donnell Clark & Crew LLP, as a result of the unexpected death of Clark. Maria Ruckwardt and Steve Crew are to handle the case going forward. In January 2015, After informing Crook County Circuit Judge Daniel J. Ahern on February 6, 2014 of "an agreement among the majority of the parties" to mediate the cases, Attorney Maria Ruckwardt, of O’Connell Clark & Crew LLP, reported "[all three] cases got resolved without court intervention." Court records indicate that on