Biglaw

Disgraced Former Biglaw Chair Pleads Guilty In College Admissions Scandal

You knew this plea was coming but it's still shocking to see such a prominent lawyer's fall from grace.

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Gordon Caplan

Welp, you knew this was coming. As those of us closely following the college admissions scandal known as operation Varsity Blues were aware, former Willkie Farr Co-Chair Gordon Caplan admitted last month that he paid $75,000 to have a proctor change his daughter’s ACT exam answers to improve her score, and announced he would be pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud. Today, Caplan bit the bullet and pleaded guilty in Boston federal court.

As reported by Law360, Caplan’s plea deal will see him pay a $40,000 fine. Additionally prosecutors will recommend a jail sentence on the low end of the recommended term of 8 to 14 months based on the agreed upon offense level.

Additionally, in court Caplan sought to distance his family from his actions:

In court Tuesday, when U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani asked Caplan if he disputed the government’s allegations, Caplan said he did not, adding: ​​​​”My daughter had absolutely nothing to do with this. This was all on me.”

Assistant U.S. Attorney Leslie Wright said there was no active investigation into Caplan’s wife or daughter. While Caplan’s wife was not formally granted immunity, Wright said, the government has no intention to bring charges against her.

This isn’t the first negative consequence that has befallen Caplan since the scandal broke. Last month Willkie announced they were parting ways with their one time leader, citing his illegal effort to get his daughter into an elite college.

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headshotKathryn Rubino is a Senior Editor at Above the Law, and host of The Jabot podcast. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter (@Kathryn1).

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