A former Harvard University fencing coach and a Maryland businessman were acquitted on Wednesday of charges that they schemed to secure coveted spots for the businessman's two sons at the Ivy League school in exchange for $1.5 million in bribes.
A federal jury in Boston found Peter Brand, the former coach, and Jie “Jack” Zhao not guilty of all of the charges against them in a case that prosecutors portrayed as part of their broader effort to stamp out corruption in the U.S. college admissions process.
The case was tried by some of the same prosecutors who had secured several of the 50-plus convictions arising out of a recentThe Harvard case was unrelated to that investigation, which was dubbed "Operation Varsity Blues," and instead was prompted by the Boston Globe reporting in 2019 that Zhao had bought the coach's rundown home at an inflated price.
Prosecutors said Zhao, the co-founder of telecommunications company iTalk Global Communications Inc, bribed Brand by covering the costs of a new sports car, Brand's son's student loans and college tuition, and the coach's utility bills. Defense lawyers argued that Zhao viewed the home as an investment, that other payments he made to Brand were loans to a friend and that his sons could have gotten into Harvard on their own merit.
México Últimas Noticias, México Titulares
Similar News:También puedes leer noticias similares a ésta que hemos recopilado de otras fuentes de noticias.
Former Harvard coach, dad acquitted in college bribery caseA former Harvard fencing coach was acquitted Wednesday of charges that he accepted more than $1.5 million in bribes in exchange for designating a wealthy businessman’s two sons as recruits to help secure their admission to the elite university
Leer más »
Former Harvard Fencing Coach, Parent Acquitted in Admissions Bribery CaseA former Harvard University fencing coach and a businessman were acquitted of charges they conspired to secure spots at the Ivy League school for the executive’s two sons through a bribery scheme
Leer más »
Maryland police charge two Eastern Shore men with child pornography, including a former police officerMaryland State Police charged a former Ocean City police officer and another man for a combined 55 counts of possessing child pornography.
Leer más »
Former New York University finance director charged with orchestrating fraudFormer NYU director of finance allegedly diverted $3.5 million intended for women- and minority-owned businesses and for other programs into bank accounts held by two shell companies she created, according to the Manhattan District Attorney's Office.
Leer más »
Former New York University finance director charged with orchestrating fraudNEW YORK — A former New York University director of finance was charged Monday with orchestrating a six-year fraud.
Leer más »