14.	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Lease Commitments—The Company leases office premises, educational facilities and various equipment for varying periods through the year 2030 at basic annual rentals (excluding taxes, insurance, and other expenses under certain leases) as follows:

Year Ending December 31,	Credit Agreement			Operating Leases
2017	$	16,048		$	21,428
2018		6,881			19,132
2019		30,958			16,521
2020		-			12,439
2021		-			7,202
Thereafter		-			20,484
		53,887			97,206
Less amount representing interest		(9,620	)		-
	$	44,267		$	97,206

Rent expense, included in operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations for the three years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 is $12.0 million, $10.9 million and $11.1 million, respectively.

Litigation and Regulatory Matters— In the ordinary conduct of our business, we are subject to periodic lawsuits, investigations and claims, including, but not limited to, claims involving students or graduates and routine employment matters. Although we cannot predict with certainty the ultimate resolution of lawsuits, investigations and claims asserted against us, we do not believe that any currently pending legal proceeding to which we are a party will have a material effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

On November 21, 2012, the Company received a Civil Investigative Demand from the Attorney General of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts relating to its investigation of whether the Company and certain of its academic institutions have complied with certain Massachusetts state consumer protection laws. On July 29, 2013, and January 17, 2014, the Company received additional Civil Investigative Demands pursuant to which the Attorney General requested from the Company and certain of its academic institutions in Massachusetts documents and detailed information for the time period from January 1, 2008 to the present.

On July 13, 2015, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts filed a complaint against the Company in the Suffolk County Superior Court alleging certain violations of the Massachusetts Consumer Protection Act since at least 2010 and continuing through 2013. At the same time, the Company agreed to the entry of a Final Judgment by Consent in order to avoid the time, burden, and expense of contesting such liability. As part of the Final Judgment by Consent, the Company denied all allegations of wrongdoing and any liability for the claims asserted in the complaint. The Company, however, paid the sum of $850,000 to the Attorney General and has agreed to forgive $165,000 of debt consisting of unpaid balances owed to the Company by certain graduates in the sole discretion of the Massachusetts Attorney General. The Final Judgment by Consent also provided certain requirements for calculation of job placement rates in Massachusetts and imposed certain disclosure obligations that are consistent with the regulations that have been previously enacted by the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office.

On December 15, 2015, the Company received an administrative subpoena from the Attorney General of the State of Maryland. Pursuant to the subpoena, Maryland’s Attorney General has requested from the Company documents and detailed information relating to its Columbia, Maryland campus. The Company has responded to this request and intends to continue cooperating with the Maryland Attorney General’s Office.

Student Loans—At December 31, 2016, the Company had outstanding net loan commitments to its students to assist them in financing their education of approximately $30.0 million.

Vendor Relationship—The Company is party to an agreement with Matco Tools (“Matco”), which expires on July 31, 2019. The Company has agreed to grant Matco exclusive access to 12 campuses and its students and instructors. This exclusivity includes but is not limited to, all other tool manufacturers and/or tool distributors, by whatever means, during the term of the agreement. Under the agreement, the Company will be provided, on an advance commission basis, credits which are redeemable in branded tools, tools storage, equipment, and diagnostics products over the term of the contract.

The Company is party to an agreement with Snap-on Industrial (“Snap-on”), which expires on December 31, 2018. The Company has agreed to grant Snap-on exclusive rights to one automotive campus to display advertising and supply certain tools. The Company earns credits that are redeemable for certain tools and equipment based on the sales to students and to the Company.

Executive Employment Agreements—The Company entered into employment contracts with key executives that provide for continued salary payments if the executives are terminated for reasons other than cause, as defined in the agreements. The future employment contract commitments for such employees were approximately $3.1 million at December 31, 2016.

Change in Control Agreements—In the event of a change of control several key executives will receive continued salary payments based on their employment agreements.

Surety Bonds—Each of the Company’s campuses must be authorized by the applicable state education agency in which the campus is located to operate and to grant degrees, diplomas or certificates to its students. The campuses are subject to extensive, ongoing regulation by each of these states. In addition, the Company’s campuses are required to be authorized by the applicable state education agencies of certain other states in which the campuses recruit students. The Company is required to post surety bonds on behalf of its campuses and education representatives with multiple states to maintain authorization to conduct its business. At December 31, 2016, the Company has posted surety bonds in the total amount of approximately $14.3 million.