Community Chat

[Johnnyeager]

Things are going to get even stickier for Lori and Mossimo.  They are represented by the firm Latham & Watkins, which also represents USC in an entirely unrelated matter.

In a letter to the court filed by the prosecution relating to conflict of interest, it was said "USC has suggested that Latham's representation of Ms. Loughlin and Mr. Giannulli may conflict with USC's interest in possible future civil litigation with these individuals."

"If the defendants are convicted, USC will be entitled as a matter of law to restitution and to provide a victim impact statement, either of which defense counsel will also have an obligation on behalf of individual clients to scrutinize and potentially challenge."

In turns out other parents are also represented by firms which are doing work for USC.

[gardenman]

• For those expecting big sentences, the Stanford sailing coach John Vandemoer got a one day sentence, already served, two years of supervised release, six months of house confinement and a $10,000 fine, despite knowing what he was doing was illegal, and he accepted $610,000 in bribes to help kids get into Stanford. The parents, who can argue they didn't know what they were doing was illegal, will likely get lesser sentences. I don't think they're even making him repay the $610,000, so he'll likely come out $600,000 ahead.  

[ms traditional]

---

@gardenman wrote:

• For those expecting big sentences, the Stanford sailing coach John Vandemoer got a one day sentence, already served, two years of supervised release, six months of house confinement and a $10,000 fine, despite knowing what he was doing was illegal, and he accepted $610,000 in bribes to help kids get into Stanford. The parents, who can argue they didn't know what they were doing was illegal, will likely get lesser sentences. I don't think they're even making him repay the $610,000, so he'll likely come out $600,000 ahead.  

---

@gardenman i read that the light sentence was due to his not pocketing the $$ but putting it into the school program.  nevertheless, this kind of sentencing does not send a good moral signal imo.  was this in Massachusetts?

[Somertime]

John Vandemoer was sentenced to one day in prison as time already served.  He received a $10,000.00 fine, two years supervised release, 6 month monitoring ankle bracelet.  He was one of the first to plead guilty.  He accepted two bribes:  1) 110,000.00 and 2) $ 160,000.00 (not the $ 610,000.00 as claimed above) for two students.  He DID NOT keep the money but turned it into Stanford Sailing program.  The two students NEVER completed the application process and never applied to Stanford.  Based on this, it is understandable why he received the sentence he did.  As Judge Zabel stated:  "Mr Vandemoer is probably the least culpable," Judge Zobel said during sentencing. "They (the others charged) took money for themselves. He did not do that. All the money he took went directly to the sailing program."

https://nypost.com/2019/06/12/house-panel-unanimously-passes-9-11-victims-fund-bill-after-jon-stewar...

[Johnnyeager]

In this case, the sentencing Judge appeared to have a hard time calling this a "bribe" which was key to the prosecution's case  I would think that sentences would be harsher for those that actually pocketed the money.

Stanford has said it wants no part of tainted money and plans on redirecting the funds "for the public good."

Prosecutor Eric Rosen was not pleased:  "He took a spot, and he sold it.  If the courts don't really care, maybe it's a more gray area than a bribe.  Then imagine if you're a kid---the wealthy and powerful get off.  Is this a message we want to send?  That the law applies to some and not to all?"

Rosen had urged the Judge to "set the tone" given the gravity and notoriety of the case.

[Somertime]

@Johnnyeager   Totally agree!  Added to the fact that the two students never completed the application process to apply to the school makes this case different from the others.  Granted there was intent but as the Judge stated, the Coach, never personally benefited nor did the students. 

[Johnnyeager]

A new class action suit has been filed in the college admissions scandal.

14 students who were denied admissions to various colleges and universities have filed suit  in the U.S. District Court of Northern California.  Filed on behalf of all students denied admissions after paying application fees, the suit seeks to recoup fees paid between 2012 and 2018 from 8 schools associated with the scandal, as well as unspecified punitive damages

"Each of the universities took the students' admission application fees while failing to take adequate steps to ensure that their admissions process was fair and free of fraud, bribery, cheating and dishonesty.

[chrystaltree]

 No one is going to jail over this but I think we all knew that from the start.  If the judge isn't going to give jail time, even if it's just 6 months to one of the COACHES in this scheming fraud.....he's isn't going to give jail time to anyone.  They'll be some fines and a year from now,  no one will even remember it happened.  Business as usual.

[Johnnyeager]

I would bet that Singer does some jail time.

I admit that I was disappointed in the sentencing for sailing coach Vandemoer.  Without wanting to be harsh, a modest incarceration period I think would have been appropriate.  I guess his remorse and letters of support made him extremely sympathetic to the judge.

His was the type of sentence I might expect for Felicity given the small monetary nature of her crime.

I also see that Singer is currently assigned the same sentencing judge as Vandemoer:  Judge Rya Zobel.

[Johnnyeager]

Two more guilty pleas to be entered today in Boston Federal Court:

Steven Masera, Singer's accountant and money man.  Government recommends incarceration at the low end of guidelines.

Ali Khosroshahin, former USC women's soccer coach. He and Laura Janke took $350,000 which was funneled to a private soccer club.  Government also recommends incarcertion at the low end.  Janke also pled guilty, is cooperating with the government and will be sentenced October 17th.

Another note:  Last week parent Toby MacFarlane pled guilty.  His case is interesting in that it closely parallels that of Lori and Mossimo.  He paid $450,000 to participate in USC schemes for his children.  Same school and approximate amount of $ as Lori.  He'll be sentenced November 13th.

The government asks for 15 months incarceration, so this could have been the deal that Lori and Mossimo turned down.  They now face up to 40 years.