Dec. 01, 2022, 12:04 p.m.|
Published: Dec. 01, 2022, 11:46 a.m.
A trial for a former Harvard University fencing coach and Maryland businessman accused of a college admissions bribery scandal totaling $1.5 million to secure entrance to the Cambridge university for the businessman’s two sons is scheduled to start next week.
Former coach Peter Brand and Jie “Jack” Zhao, of Maryland, face federal bribery and wire charges, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and the trial is scheduled to start Monday at 9 a.m. before Senior Judge George O’Toole, Jr. and includes a lengthy witness list.
Prosecutors said Brand recruited Zhao’s two sons to the Harvard men’s fencing team in exchange for money, a new car, college tuition payments for Brand’s son, mortgage payments for Brand’s Needham house, paying to renovate the property, and Zhao eventually buying the house, a move that allowed Brand to purchase a more expensive residence in Cambridge.
