A former University of Southern California assistant coach has agreed to cooperate with the U.S. and testify in the “Varsity Blues” college-admissions scandal, according to court filings.
Laura Janke, a former USC assistant women’s soccer coach accused of creating phony athletic profiles for bogus athletic recruits, agreed to plead guilty to a charge of conspiracy to commit racketeering, according to a letter from federal prosecutors to her attorney that was unsealed Tuesday.
The deal signals that prosecutors are pushing ahead with their investigation into the largest ever college admissions scandal. Under the deal, Janke will tell investigators what she knows about corrupt college consultant William “Rick” Singer’s contacts and other matters. In exchange, prosecutors will recommend a prison term at the low end of sentencing guidelines and may urge additional leniency if she provides “substantial assistance.” The guidelines likely call for a sentence of 27 to 33 months behind bars, according to the letter.
In all, the Justice Department say, 33 parents funneled a total of $25 million in bribes and fees through Singer, the admitted ringleader, for a test-taking surrogate to ace the SAT or ACT for their children, or to pay off university sports coaches to get the kids in as phony recruits. Coaches from Georgetown and Yale universities have also been charged.
Janke, who also agreed to forfeit about $134,000 she allegedly received as part of the scheme, is one of at least three former employees at USC to be charged and the first to plead guilty.
Pending Cases
Donna Heinel, a former senior athletic administrator, was accused a playing a central role in the scandal and allegedly helped Singer get students admitted as recruited athletes even if they didn’t participate in the sports. Jovan Vavic, a former USC water polo coach who won 16 national titles at the school -- more than any in the school’s history -- was charged with working with Singer in the scheme by recommending two students as recruits to USC’s water polo team. Both have pleaded not guilty.
USC, in statement, said it is cooperating with the government and is conducting its own internal investigation of the student-athlete admission process. The school said it’s also conducting a case-by-case review of any students who may be associated with the alleged scheme and monitoring developments, including guilty pleas.
Earlier this month, Bruce and Davina Isackson, who were charged with paying bribes to get their daughter into USC as a recruited soccer player and having her admissions-test scores boosted, said they’d pleaded guilty and have a deal to cooperate with the government in exchange for a lesser sentence.
Separately on Tuesday, another California parent, Toby MacFarlane, said he’d plead guilty, according to prosecutors. He allegedly paid bribes to get his daughter and son into USC, prosecutors said.