By Nick Anderson | The Washington Post
Georgetown University said Wednesday it intends to expel two students after reviewing their applications in the wake of the admissions bribery scandal.
The Jesuit university in Washington did not identify the students who face imminent dismissal. The university’s actions come two months after federal investigators announced criminal charges against 50 people across the country who were accused of participating in a conspiracy to undermine the admissions process at prominent universities. One of those facing charges is a former Georgetown tennis coach.
Thirty-three parents were charged in the case, along with 17 others who authorities say orchestrated or facilitated a two-part scam. One part involved cheating on admission tests; the other, fabricating high school athletic credentials to present applicants as recruited athletes even though they lacked ability to compete at the intercollegiate level.
William “Rick” Singer, an admissions consultant who was the alleged mastermind, has pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy and other charges and is cooperating with investigators.
No students have been charged in the case. But Georgetown and other affected universities have been scouring their records to determine whether to revoke admissions of any students or take action against any graduates connected to Singer.
The former Georgetown coach, Gordon Ernst, is accused in federal court documents of taking bribes in exchange for designating applicants as purported tennis recruits, even though several of those he recommended did not play the sport competitively and did not play for the team after enrolling. Ernst has pleaded not guilty to racketeering conspiracy and is due to appear in federal court in Boston in June. He has declined requests for comment.
“Applicants to Georgetown affirm that the information and statements contained in their applications are true, correct and complete,” the university said in a statement. “Knowingly misrepresenting or falsifying credentials in an application can be cause for rescinding the admission of the student and dismissal from Georgetown.
“Today, we informed two students of our intent to rescind their admission and dismiss them from Georgetown. Each student case was addressed individually and each student was given multiple opportunities to respond and provide information to the University.”