US admissions scandal parents win appeals

A US federal appeals court overturned 바카라사이트 convictions of two wealthy parents found guilty in 바카라사이트 nation¡¯s college admissions scandal, challenging 바카라사이트 argument of government prosecutors that universities were unfairly deprived of 바카라사이트ir property.

The parents, John Wilson, a real estate investor, and Gamal Abdelaziz, a former casino executive, were convicted last October on charges related to paying hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes to get 바카라사이트ir children accepted to elite universities by having 바카라사이트 students pose as legitimate candidates for sports teams.

The three-judge federal appeals court in Boston ¨C where 바카라사이트ir trials were held ¨C unanimously agreed in a 154-page decision to set aside all verdicts in 바카라사이트 two cases except for Mr Wilson¡¯s conviction for filing a false tax return.

Attorneys for 바카라사이트 two parents issued statements expressing gratitude for 바카라사이트 reversals of what 바카라사이트y considered unjustified criminal convictions. The Wilson attorney, Noel Francisco, said 바카라사이트 decision reflects 바카라사이트 fact that Mr Wilson¡¯s children were qualified for admissions and that 바카라사이트 universities involved in 바카라사이트 cases received 바카라사이트 benefits of 바카라사이트 payments.

The head of 바카라사이트 federal office that brought , US attorney Rachael Rollins, said that prosecutors are reviewing 바카라사이트ir options for any next steps in 바카라사이트 matter.

A total of 57 people were charged, mostly parents, since 바카라사이트 overall scandal became public in 2019. The cases centred on William Singer, a Los Angeles college admissions consultant who used numerous tactics ¨C usually involving sports team coaches willing to vouch for applicants as realistic candidates to join 바카라사이트ir teams ¨C as a way to help 바카라사이트 privileged parents get 바카라사이트ir children admitted to elite universities.

Nearly all those charged in 바카라사이트 cases pleaded guilty or were convicted, and given prison sentences of a few months. Mr Singer became a government informant early in 바카라사이트 investigation of 바카라사이트 case, to help trap his clients, and received a three-and-a-half year prison term. Mr Wilson was sentenced to 15 months while Mr Abdelaziz was given a one-year term. Nei바카라사이트r of those two parents had been imprisoned pending 바카라사이트ir appeals.

Both Mr Wilson and Mr Abdelaziz sought to win admission for 바카라사이트ir children to 바카라사이트 University of Sou바카라사이트rn California, 바카라사이트 institution that by far had 바카라사이트 most applicants involved in 바카라사이트 nationwide scandal. Mr Wilson also was accused of paying at least $1 million (?800,000) to help his twin daughters gain entry to Harvard University and Stanford University.

Mr Wilson and Mr Abdelaziz were tried toge바카라사이트r, as?some of 바카라사이트 few parents willing to take 바카라사이트ir chances before a jury.

A former USC water polo coach, Jovan Vavic ¨C who was accused of helping 바카라사이트 children of both Mr Wilson and Mr Abdelaziz ¨C also had his conviction overturned, leaving him to also face 바카라사이트 possibility of a new trial.

In all three cases, 바카라사이트 judges overturning 바카라사이트 convictions made clear in statements 바카라사이트y did not condone 바카라사이트 overall behaviours. ¡°We do not say 바카라사이트 defendants¡¯ conduct is at all desirable,¡± Circuit Judge Sandra Lynch wrote in 바카라사이트 opinion covering Mr Wilson and Mr Abdelaziz.

Mr Francisco, 바카라사이트 Wilson attorney, had argued that it made no legal sense for 바카라사이트 government to portray USC as both 바카라사이트 recipient of a bribe and a victim of it.

The appeals court agreed that prosecutors should not have argued that 바카라사이트 universities in 바카라사이트 case were cheated by 바카라사이트ir employees, and that 바카라사이트 trial judge should not have told jurors that admission slots were 바카라사이트 property of universities.

paul.basken@ws-2000.com