Authorities, parents accused in the college-admissions cheating case are negotiating possible guilty pleas that may include jail time for some
William “Rick” Singer leaving federal court in Boston March 12. Photo: Scott Eisen/Getty Images By Melissa Korn and Jennifer Levitz March 29, 2019 9:48 a.m. ET BOSTON—
Patric Hooper, a lawyer for those two parents, said Wednesday that prosecutors talked to his clients about a deal, but they refused. “We are taking a position that our client is innocent,” he said. He declined to say what the government offered but said it would likely not have involved jail time. Fifty people were charged earlier this month for their alleged roles in a sprawling scheme by which Newport Beach, Calif., college-admissions consultant William “Rick” Singer said he helped wealthy parents get their kids into selective schools either by fraudulently boosting their test scores or by bribing coaches to designate them as recruited athletes. Mr. Singer pleaded guilty to four charges.
Mr. Hooper’s clients—Amy and Gregory Colburn, of Palo Alto, Calif.—are accused of participating in the test-taking scheme for their son. They were indicted Tuesday on the charge of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services fraud, as well as money-laundering conspiracy. Mr. Hooper said the Colburns hired Mr. Singer for legitimate college-counseling services, that their son took the SAT on his own and that they believed Mr. Singer’s nonprofit was legitimate.
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