California

New York Lawyer, Napa Valley Vintner Plead Guilty in College Admissions Case

Gordon Caplan and Agustin Huneeus Jr. are among 14 parents who have agreed to plead guilty in the college admissions scandal

A New York lawyer and a Napa Valley vintner have admitted to participating in the college admissions bribery scheme.

Gordon Caplan and Agustin Huneeus Jr. pleaded guilty Tuesday in Boston federal court.

Caplan was co-chairman of the prominent law firm Willkie Farr & Gallagher. The Greenwich, Connecticut, resident was charged with paying $75,000 to get someone to correct the answers on his daughter's ACT exam after she took it.

"I'm deeply ashamed. I'm terribly sorry," said Caplan outside of court. "I'm really sorry to my daughter who I love more than anything in the world, knew nothing up this."

Huneeus' family owns vineyards in California's Napa Valley and in Oregon. Authorities say he agreed to pay $300,000 to rig his daughter's SAT score and have her designated as a water polo recruit to the University of Southern California.

They are among 14 parents who have agreed to plead guilty. Actress Felicity Huffman pleaded guilty last week.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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