CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. -- American Public Education is facing a second class-action lawsuit filed on behalf of shareholders.

New York law firm Bernstein Liebhard said it sued the Charles Town-based company Monday in U.S. District Court in Martinsburg. The lawsuit is the second filed on behalf of American Public Education shareholders in August.

American Public operates online, for-profit universities primarily for military personnel.

The new lawsuit accuses the company of using improper tactics to lure students to enroll to prop up financial results, among other things. The earlier lawsuit filed by an Oklahoma law firm likewise accuses American Public of making misrepresentations to investors.

An American Public spokesman did not immediately return a call seeking comment.