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Investigations of College Admissions and Testing Bribery Scheme

Dozens of individuals involved in a nationwide conspiracy that facilitated cheating on college entrance exams and the admission of students to elite universities as purported athletic recruits were arrested by federal agents in multiple states and charged in documents unsealed on March 12, 2019, in federal court in Boston. Athletic coaches from Yale, Stanford, USC, Wake Forest and Georgetown, among others, are implicated, as well as parents and exam administrators. 

Individuals who have questions or inquiries about this case may send an email to the following address:  USAMA.VictimAssistance@usdoj.gov

Below is a list of the defendants. The charging documents are attached at the bottom of this page.

 

Charged by Information

Defendant Charges Case Status Sentence Government Recommended Sentence Court Imposed

William Rick SINGER

19-CR-10078- RWZ

Racketeering conspiracy; money laundering conspiracy; conspiracy to defraud US; obstruction of justice 

1/4/2023 - Defendant sentenced by Judge Zobel. 

3/12/2019 - Defendant pled guilty and agreed to cooperate with the government's investigation. 

6 years in prison

3 years of supervised release

Restitution of $10,668,841 million to the IRS

Forfeiture of $8.7 million

42 months in prison

3 years of supervised release

Restitution of $10,668,841 to the IRS

Forfeiture of $8.7 million

Rudolph “Rudy” MEREDITH

19-CR-10075- MLW

Conspiracy to commit wire fraud and honest services wire fraud; honest services wire fraud

11/9/2022 - Defendant sentenced by Judge Wolf.

3/28/2019 - Defendant pled guilty and agreed to cooperate with the government's investigation. 

Time served

1 year of supervised release

50 hours of community service

Forfeiture of $557,774

5 months in prison

1 year of supervised release

$19,000 fine

Forfeiture of $557,774

Mark RIDDELL

19-CR-10074-NMG

Conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud; conspiracy to commit money laundering

4/8/2022 - Defendant sentenced by Judge Gorton.

4/12/2019 - Defendant pled guilty and agreed to cooperate with the government's investigation.

4 months in prison

2 years of supervised release

Forfeiture of $239,449

4 months in prison

2 years of supervised release

$1,000 fine

Forfeiture of $239,449

John VANDEMOER

19-cr-10079-RWZ

Conspiracy to commit racketeering

6/12/2019  - Defendant sentenced by Judge Zobel.

3/12/2019 - Defendant pled guilty.

13 months in prison

1 year of supervised release

1 day in prison (deemed served)

2 years of supervised release with the first 6 months to be served in home detention

$10,000 fine

 

Charged by Information - 1:19-cr-10117

Defendant Charges Case Status Sentence Government Recommended Sentence Court Imposed
Gregory ABBOTT Conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud

10/8/2019 – Defendant sentenced by Judge Talwani.

5/22/2019 – Defendant pled guilty.

8 months in prison

1 year of supervised release

Fine of $40,000

1 month in prison

1 year of supervised release

250 hours of community service

Fine of $45,000

Marcia ABBOTT Conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud

10/8/2019 – Defendant sentenced by Judge Talwani.

5/22/2019 – Defendant pled guilty.

8 months in prison

1 year of supervised release

Fine of $40,000

1 month in prison

1 year of supervised release

250 hours of community service

Fine of $45,000

Jane BUCKINGHAM Conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud

10/23/2019 – Defendant sentenced by Judge Talwani.

5/24/2019 – Defendant pled guilty.

6 months in prison

1 year of supervised release

Fine of $40,000

3 weeks in prison

1 year of supervised release

Fine of $40,000

Gordon CAPLAN Conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud

10/3/2019 – Defendant sentenced by Judge Talwani.

5/21/2019 – Defendant pled guilty.

8 months in prison

1 year of supervised release

Fine of $40,000

1 month in prison

1 year of supervised release

250 hours of community service

Fine of $50,000

Robert FLAXMAN Conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud

10/18/2019 – Defendant sentenced by Judge Talwani.

5/24/2019 – Defendant pled guilty.

8 months in prison

1 year of supervised release

Fine of $40,000

1 month in prison

1 year of supervised release

250 hours of community service

Fine of $50,000

Felicity HUFFMAN Conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud

9/13/2019 – Defendant sentenced by Judge Talwani.

5/13/2019 – Defendant pled guilty.

1 month in prison

1 year of supervised release

Fine of $20,000

14 days in prison

1 year of supervised release

250 hours of community service

Fine of $30,000

Agustin HUNEEUS Jr. Conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud

10/4/2019 – Defendant sentenced by Judge Talwani.

5/21/2019 – Defendant pled guilty.

15 months in prison

1 year of supervised release

Fine of $95,000

5 months in prison

2 years of supervised release 

500 hours of community service

Fine of $100,000

Marjorie KLAPPER Conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud

10/16/2019 – Defendant sentenced by Judge Talwani.

5/24/2019 – Defendant pled guilty.

4 months in prison

1 year of supervised release

Fine of $20,000

 

3 weeks in prison

1 year of supervised release

250 hours of community service

Fine of $9,500

Peter Jan SARTORIO Conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud

10/11/2019 – Defendant sentenced by Judge Talwani.

5/22/2019 – Defendant pled guilty.

1 month in prison

1 year of supervised release

Fine of $9,500

1 year of probation

250 hours of community service

Fine of $9,500

Stephen SEMPREVIVO Conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud

9/26/2019 - Defendant sentenced by Judge Talwani.

5/7/2019 – Defendant pled guilty.

18 months in prison

1 year of supervised release

Fine of $95,000

Forfeiture and restitution

4 months in prison

2 years of supervised release

500 hours of community service 

Fine of $100,000

Devin SLOANE Conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud

9/24/2019 - Defendant sentenced by Judge Talwani

5/13/2019 – Defendant pled guilty.

1 year and 1 day in prison

1 year of supervised release

Fine of $75,000

4 months in prison

2 years of supervised release

500 hours of community service

Fine of $95,000

 

Charged by Information - 1:19-CR-10115

Defendant Charges Case Status Sentence Government Recommended Sentence Court Imposed
Davina ISACKSON Conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud

6/28/2022 – Defendant sentenced by Judge Saris.

5/1/2019 – Defendant pled guilty and agreed to cooperate with the government's investigation.

Time served

1 year of probation

250 hours of community service

Fine of $1,000

Bruce ISACKSON Conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud; money laundering conspiracy; and conspiracy to defraud the United States

6/28/2022 - Defendant sentenced by Judge Saris.

5/1/2019 – Defendant pled guilty and agreed to cooperate with the government's investigation.

Time served

1 year of probation

250 hours of community service

Fine of $7,500

 

Charged by Information - 1:19-CR-10131

Defendant Charges Case Status Sentence Government Recommended Sentence Court Imposed
Toby MACFARLANE Conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud

11/13/2019 – Defendant sentenced by Judge Gorton.

6/21/2019 – Defendant pled guilty.

15 months in prison

1 year of supervised release

Fine of $95,000

Forfeiture and restitution

6 months in prison

1 year of supervised release

200 hours of community service

Fine of $150,000

 

Charged by Information - 1:19-CR-10222

Defendant Charges Case Status Sentence Government Recommended Sentence Court Imposed
Jeffrey BIZZACK Conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud

10/30/2019 – Defendant sentenced by Judge Woodlock.

7/24/2019 – Defendant pled guilty.

9 months in prison

1 year of supervised release 

Fine of $75,000

Restitution

2 months in prison

3 years of supervised release

300 hours of community service per year of supervised release

Fine of $250,000

 

Charged by Information - 1:19-CR-10116

Defendant Charges Case Status Sentence Government Recommended Sentence Court Imposed
Michael CENTER Conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud

2/24/2020 – Defendant sentenced by Judge Stearns.

4/24/2019 – Defendant pled guilty.

6 months in prison 

1 year of supervised release

Fine of $20,00

Forfeiture of $60,000

6 months in prison

1 year of supervised release

Forfeiture of $60,000

 

Charged by Information - 1-CR-10463

Defendant Charges Case Status Sentence Government Recommended Sentence Court Imposed
Karen LITTLEFAIR Conspiracy to commit wire fraud

7/15/2020 - Defendant sentenced by Judge Burroughs. 

1/22/2020 - Defendant pled guilty.

4 months in prison

1 year of supervised release

Fine of $9,500

5 weeks in prison

2 years of supervised release

300 hours of community service

Fine of $209,000

Charged by Indictment - 1:19-CR-10081

Defendant Charges Case Status Sentence Government Recommended Sentence Court Imposed

Igor DVORSKIY

19-CR-10081- IT

Conspiracy to commit racketeering

8/9/2022 – Defendant sentenced by Judge Talwani. 

11/13/19 - Defendant pled guilty.

Time served

1 year of supervised release with 3 months home detention

Forfeiture of $149,540

Time served

1 year of supervised release with 3 months of home detention

Forfeiture of $149,540

Gordon ERNST

19-CR-10081- IT

Conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and honest services mail and wire fraud; conspiracy to commit federal programs bribery; federal programs bribery; wire fraud and honest services wire fraud – aiding and abetting; mail fraud and honest services mail fraud – aiding and abetting; money laundering – aiding and abetting; filing a false tax return 

7/1/2022 - Defendant sentenced by Judge Talwani. 

10/25/2021 - Defendant pled guilty.

 

4 years in prison

2 years of supervised release

Forfeiture of $3,435,053

30 months in prison

2 years of supervised release with first 6 months spent in home confinement

Forfeiture of $3,435,053

William FERGUSON

19-CR-10081- IT

Conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and honest services mail and wire fraud

9/15/2021 - Defendant entered into deferred prosecution agreement for a period of two years. 

 

   

Martin FOX

19-CR-10081- IT

Conspiracy to commit racketeering

11/13/2020 - Defendant sentenced by Judge Talwani

11/15/2019 - Defendant pled guilty. 

6 months in prison

1 year of supervised release

Fine of $95,000

Forfeiture of $245,000

3 months in prison

15 months of supervised release with the first 3 months in home confinement

Fine of $95,000

Forfeiture of $245,000

250 hours of community service

Donna HEINEL

19-CR-10081- IT

Honest services wire fraud 

1/6/2023 - Defendant sentenced by Judge Talwani. 

11/5/2021 - Defendant pled guilty.

2 years in prison

2 years of supervised release

Forfeiture of $160,000

6 months in prison

2 years of supervised release

Forfeiture of $160,000

Laura JANKE

19-CR-10081- IT

Conspiracy to commit racketeering

6/28/2022 - Defendant sentenced by Judge Talwani. 

5/14/2019 – Defendant pled guilty and agreed to cooperate with the government’s investigation. 

Time served

1 year of supervised release

50 hours of community service

Forfeiture of $129,213

1 year of supervised release

50 hours of community service

Forfeiture of $129,213

Ali KHOSROSHAHIN

19-CR-10081- IT

Conspiracy to commit racketeering

6/29/2022  - Defendant sentenced by Judge Talwani.

6/27/2019 – Defendant pled guilty and agreed to cooperate with the government’s investigation. 

Time served

1 year of supervised release

100 hours of community service

Forfeiture of $208,990

1 year of supervised release

6 months of home confinement

Forfeiture of $208,990

Steven MASERA

19-CR-10081- IT

Conspiracy to commit racketeering

5/13/2022 - Defendant sentenced by Judge Talwani.

6/27/2019 – Defendant pled guilty and agreed to cooperate with the government’s investigation.

Time served

1 year of supervised release

Time served

3 years of supervised release

$20,000 fine

Jorge SALCEDO

19-CR-10081- IT

Conspiracy to commit federal programs bribery

3/19/2021 - Defendant sentenced by Judge Talwani.

1/14/2021 - Defendant pled guilty.   

18 months in prison

1 year of supervised release

Fine of $95,000

Forfeiture of $200,000

8 months in prison

1 year of supervised release

Forfeiture of $200,000

Mikaela SANFORD

19-CR-10081- IT

Conspiracy to commit racketeering

5/19/2022 - Defendant sentenced by Judge Talwani.

10/1/2020 - Defendant pled guilty.

 

 

Time served

1 year of supervised release

100 hours of community service

Forfeiture of $67,062

Time served

1 year of supervised release

Forfeiture of $67,062

Jovan VAVIC

19-CR-10081- IT

Conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and honest services mail and wire fraud; conspiracy to commit federal programs bribery; wire fraud and honest services wire fraud – aiding and abetting

9/15/2022 - Defendant granted motion for new jury trial.

4/8/2022 - Defendant convicted by federal jury. 

9/15/2022 - The Court ordered a new trial for the defendant in this case. Both parties have filed notices of appeal on the Court's new trial order.

   

Niki WILLIAMS

19-CR-10081- IT

Conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and honest services mail and wire fraud

12/21/2020 - Defendant sentenced by Judge Talwani.

9/25/2020 - Defendant pled guilty.

6 months in prison

1 year of supervised release

Forfeiture of $20,000

1 year of probation

Forfeiture of $12,500

 

Charged by Indictment – 1:19-CR-10082

Defendant Charges Case Status Sentence Government Recommended Sentence Court Imposed
Xiaoning SUI Federal programs bribery

5/18/2020 - Defendant sentenced by Judge Woodlock. 

2/21/2020 - Defendant pled guilty.

Time served

Fine

Time served

Fine of $250,000  

Charged by Information – 1:20-CR-10099

Defendant Charges Case Status Sentence Government Recommended Sentence Court Imposed
Peter DAMERIS Conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud

10/5/2020 - Defendant sentenced by Judge Stearns.

6/2/2020 - Defendant pled guilty.

Time served

21 months of home confinement

Fine of $95,000

Restitution

1 day in prison (deemed served)

3 years of supervised release 

Fine of $95,000

12 months of home confinement

Charged by Information – 1:20-CR-10166

Defendant Charges Case Status Sentence Government Recommended Sentence Court Imposed

Mark HAUSER

Conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud

5/27/2021 - Defendant sentenced by Judge Woodlock.

9/21/2020 - Defendant pled guilty.

6 months in prison

1 year of supervised release

Fine of $40,000

Restitution

2 months in prison

3 years of supervised release

Fine of $250,000

300 hours of community service

Charged by Indictment - 1:19-CR-10080

Defendant Charges Case Status Sentence Government Recommended Sentence Court Imposed
David SIDOO

Conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud

7/15/2020 - Defendant sentenced by Judge Gorton.

3/13/2020 - Defendant pled guilty.

90 days in prison

1 year of supervised release

Fine of $250,000

90 days in prison

1 year of supervised release

Fine of $250,000

Amy COLBURN Conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and honest services mail fraud

4/14/2022 - Defendant sentenced by Judge Gorton.

12/7/2021 - Defendant pled guilty. 

8 weeks in prison

1 year of supervised release

100 hours of community service

Fine of $12,500

8 weeks in prison

1 year of supervised release

100 hours of community service

Fine of $12,500

Gregory COLBURN Conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and honest services mail fraud

4/14/2022 - Defendant sentenced by Judge Gorton.

12/7/2021 - Defendant pled guilty.

8 weeks in prison

1 year of supervised release

100 hours of community service

Fine of $12,500

8 weeks in prison

1 year of supervised release

100 hours of community service

Fine of $12,500

Gamal ABDELAZIZ

 

Conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and honest services mail and wire fraud; conspiracy to commit federal programs bribery

2/9/22 - Defendant sentenced by Judge Gorton.

10/8/2021 - Defendant convicted by federal jury.

5/10/2023 - The First Circuit Court of Appeals vacated the defendant’s jury conviction. 

6/29/2023 – The Government moved to dismiss all criminal charges.

14 months in prison

2 years of supervised release

400 hours of community service

Fine of $250,000

12 months and 1 day in prison

2 years of supervised release

400 hours of community service

Fine of $250,000

Sentence has been vacated.

Diane BLAKE

 

Conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and honest services mail and wire fraud

11/17/2020  - Defendant sentenced by Judge Gorton. 

7/14/2020 - Defendant pled guilty. 

6 weeks in prison

2 years of supervised release

100 hours of community service

Fine of $125,000

6 weeks in prison

2 years of supervised release

100 hours of community service

Fine of $125,000

Todd BLAKE

 

Conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and honest services mail and wire fraud; conspiracy to commit money laundering

11/17/2020 - Defendant sentenced by Judge Gorton.

7/14/2020 - Defendant pled guilty.

 

4 months in prison

2 years of supervised release

100 hours of community service

Fine of $125,000

4 months in prison

2 years of supervised release

100 hours of community service

Fine of $125,000

I-Hsin “Joey” CHEN

 

Wire fraud and honest services wire fraud

4/20/2022 - Defendant sentenced by Judge Gorton. 

12/15/2021 - Defendant pled guilty.

9 weeks in prison

1 year of supervised release

100 hours of community service

Fine of $75,000

9 weeks in prison

1 year of supervised release

100 hours of community service

Fine of $75,000

Mossimo GIANNULLI

 

Conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and honest services mail and wire fraud

8/21/2020 - Defendant sentenced by Judge Gorton.

5/22/2020 - Defendant pled guilty.

5 months in prison

2 years of supervised release

Fine of $250,000

250 hours of community service

5 months in prison

2 years of supervised release

Fine of $250,000

250 hours of community service

Elizabeth HENRIQUEZ

 

Conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and honest services mail and wire fraud; conspiracy to commit money laundering

3/31/2020 - Defendant sentenced by Judge Gorton. 

10/21/2019 - Defendant pled guilty.

26 months in prison

3 years of supervised release

Fine of $250,00 

300 hours of community service

7 months in prison

2 years of supervised release 

Fine of $200,000 

300 hours of community service

Self-surrender to BOP on June 30,2020

Manuel HENRIQUEZ

 

Conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and honest services mail and wire fraud; conspiracy to commit money laundering

7/29/2020 - Defendant sentenced by Judge Gorton. 

10/21/2019 - Defendant pled guilty.

5 months in prison

2 years of supervised release

Fine of $150,00 

250 hours of community service

6 months in prison

2 years of supervised release

Fine of $200,000

200 hours of community service

Douglas HODGE

 

Conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and honest services mail and wire fraud; conspiracy to commit money laundering

2/7/2020 - Defendant sentenced by Judge Gorton.

10/21/2019 - Defendant pled guilty. 

24 months in prison 

3 years of supervised release

Fine of $200,000

300 hours of community service

9 months in prison

2 years of supervised release

Fine of $750,000

500 hours of community service

Michelle JANAVS

 

Conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and honest services mail and wire fraud; conspiracy to commit money laundering

2/25/2020 - Defendant sentenced by Judge Gorton. 

10/21/2019 - Defendant pled guilty.

21 months in prison

3 years of supervised release

Fine of $175,00 

250 hours of community service

5 months in prison 

2 years of supervised release

Fine of $250,000

 

Elisabeth KIMMEL

 

Conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud 

12/9/2021 - Defendant sentenced by Judge Gorton. 

8/16/2021 - Defendant pled guilty.

6 weeks in prison

2 years of supervised release

Fine of $250,000

500 hours of community service

6 weeks in prison

2 years of supervised release

Fine of $250,000

500 hours of community service

Lori LOUGHLIN

 

Conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud 

8/21/2020 - Defendant sentenced by Judge Gorton.

5/22/2020 - Defendant pled guilty. 

2 months in prison

2 years of supervised release

Fine of $150,000

100 hours of community service

2 months in prison

2 years of supervised release

Fine of $150,000

100 hours of community service

William McGLASHAN

 

Wire fraud and honest services wire fraud

5/12/2021 - Defendant sentenced by Judge Gorton. 

2/10/2021 - Defendant pled guilty. 

 

3 months in prison

2 years of supervised release

Fine of $250,000

250 hours of community service

3 months in prison

2 years of supervised release

Fine of $250,000

250 hours of community service

Marci PALATELLA

 

Conspiracy to commit honest services mail fraud

12/16/2021 - Defendant sentenced by Judge Gorton. 

8/25/2021 - Defendant pled guilty. 

6 weeks in prison

2 years of supervised release

Fine of $250,000

500 hours of community service

6 weeks in prison

2 years of supervised release

Fine of $250,000

500 hours of community service

John WILSON

 

Conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and honest services mail and wire fraud; conspiracy to commit federal programs bribery; wire fraud and honest services wire fraud – aiding and abetting; federal programs bribery – aiding and abetting; filing a false tax return

9/29/2023 – Defendant sentenced by Judge Sorokin.

5/10/2023 - The First Circuit Court of Appeals vacated all but one of the defendant’s jury conviction. 

2/16/22 - Defendant sentenced by Judge Gorton.

10/8/2021 - Defendant convicted by federal jury.

15 months in prison

1 year of supervised release

Fine of $100,000

250 hours of community service

Restitution of $88,546 to the IRS

1 year of probation with the first 6 months to be served in home detention

Fine of $75,000

250 hours of community service

Restitution of $88,546 to the IRS

 

Homayoun ZADEH

 

Filing a false tax return

11/10/2021- Defendant sentenced by Judge Gorton. 

7/9/2021 - Defendant pled guilty.

 

 

6 weeks in prison

1 year of supervised release

Fine of $20,000

250 hours of community service

6 weeks in prison

1 year of supervised release

Fine of $20,000

250 hours of community service

Robert ZANGRILLO

 

 

1/19/2021 - Pardoned by former President Trump.

 

 

 

 

Updated October 23, 2023