Biglaw

Biglaw Firm Ditches Partner Nabbed In College Admissions Scandal

Plus it looks like jail time is on the horizon.

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Gordan Caplan

The consequences just keep piling on Gordon Caplan, the co-chair of Willkie Farr caught in the college admissions scandal dubbed “Operation Varsity Blues” by authorities. Strike that, make it former co-chair of Willkie Farr. Caplan was already suspended from the firm when it was announced he’d plead guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud. On Friday, the firm announced Caplan “is no longer a partner of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP.” And they minced few words, blaming it entirely on his illegal effort to get his daughter into an elite college:

“Mr. Caplan’s departure is a result of his involvement in the college admissions matter and his recent statement regarding his intent to plead to a criminal charge,” the firm said. “At Willkie, nothing is more important to us than our integrity and we do not tolerate behavior that runs contrary to our core values. We remain focused on our responsibilities to our clients, partners and employees.”

As you’ll recall, Caplan was accused of paying $75,000 to college coaches turned government cooperating witnesses for a scheme to have a professional alter his daughter’s answers on the ACT in order to get her a higher score.

Caplan’s plea deal with prosecutors was released online yesterday. The agreement states the agreed upon offense level is 11, which means for someone with no criminal history, a recommended term of 8 to 14 months in prison. As Law.com reports, the court will ultimately do its own assessment of any potential jail time:

The government agreed to recommend a term at the lower end of that range, but the court will also do its own calculation and consider other factors in the ultimate sentencing calculation. Prosecutors also agreed to recommend a year of supervised release and a $40,000 fine. Caplan also waved his right to appeal the court’s decision.

Caplan is one of 13 parents who agreed to plea deals as part of Operation Varsity Blues. A court date for the guilty pleas has not yet been set.

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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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