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Admissions

John Joseph Moakley United States Courthouse
College

Federal Judge Unseals Select Sidebars from 2018 Harvard Admissions Trial

As Harvard’s admissions lawsuit unfolds at the Supreme Court, Massachusetts District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs unsealed parts of 2018 Harvard admissions courtroom transcripts of private conversations between the judge and the lawyers — known as sidebars — last month.

William S. Consovoy
Admissions

William Consovoy, Attorney Who Represented Students for Fair Admissions, Dies at 48

William S. Consovoy, an attorney who was a prominent face for conservative causes, died on Monday evening, his law firm Consovoy McCarthy announced on Tuesday. He was 48.

William R. Fitzsimmons '67
College

Harvard Admissions Dean Touts ‘Transparency’ as Peer Institutions Hide Acceptance Rates

Harvard College Dean of Admissions William R. Fitzsimmons ’67 said in an interview last Thursday that the College is committed to “transparency” in releasing admissions statistics.

Jack Zhao Closing Arguments 2
Crime

Ex-Harvard Fencing Coach and Harvard Parent Acquitted of Bribery Charges

Former Harvard fencing coach Peter Brand and Harvard College parent Jie “Jack” Zhao are not guilty of a bribery scheme to recruit Zhao’s sons to Harvard, a jury decided Wednesday.

Jack Zhao Peter Brand Fencing Trial Closing Statements
Fencing

Attorneys Clash Over Key Witness’ Credibility in Closing Arguments for Harvard Admissions Bribery Trial

Federal prosecutors and defense attorneys sparred over the credibility of a self-described “middleman” in the alleged admissions bribery scheme between ex-Harvard fencing coach Peter Brand and a Harvard parent in closing arguments Tuesday.

Jie "Jack" Zhao Courthouse Day 10 Peter Brand Trial
Admissions

Zhao Sons Testify They Were Unaware of Alleged Bribes to Ex-Harvard Fencing Coach

Eric Y. Zhao ’18 and Edward Y. Zhao ’21, whose father is accused of bribing a former Harvard fencing coach, testified Monday that their father’s involvement in their fencing careers was driven by his love for the sport.

Jie "Jack" Zhao & William D. Weinreb
Crime

Wife of Harvard Parent on Trial for Alleged Admissions Bribery Scheme Says Couple Was Pressured Into Making $1 Million Payment

The wife of businessman and Harvard College parent Jie “Jack” Zhao told a federal jury on Friday that she and her husband were pressured into making a $1 million payment that prosecutors claim was a bribe to secure their sons’ admission to Harvard.

Jie "Jack" Zhao & William D. Weinreb Exit Courthouse
Crime

Wife of Ex-Harvard Fencing Coach Says Alleged Bribes Were Personal Loans, Paid Back in Full

The wife of former Harvard fencing coach Peter Brand told a federal jury on Thursday that the payments made by businessman Jie “Jack” Zhao to their family were personal loans that they planned to pay back with anticipated inheritance money. Brand and Zhao are facing trial for federal bribery charges.

Charleston Interview (Admissions Office)
College

Harvard College Accepts 7.56% of Early Action Applicants to Class of 2027

Harvard College admitted 7.56 percent of early applicants to the Class of 2027, marking the second-lowest early acceptance rate in the College’s history.

Peter Brand Admissions Trial Day 5 Exiting Courthouse
Admissions

Parent on Trial for Alleged Admissions Bribery Scheme Was Key Donor to Harvard Fencing, Witness Says

A fundraiser for Harvard’s fencing program told a federal jury Wednesday that Maryland businessman Jie “Jack” Zhao — accused of bribing the team’s former head coach Peter Brand — provided key funding for the team.

Jie "Jack" Zhao & Michael T. Packard '02
Admissions

Former Harvard Fencing Captain Says Zhao Brothers Were Qualified to Be On Team

The former captain of Harvard’s fencing team told a federal jury on Tuesday that the sons of Jie “Jack” Zhao, who is accused of paying bribes to get his children into the College as fencing recruits, were talented athletes who were qualified to be on the team.

Peter Brand
Admissions

Ex-Harvard Fencing Coach ‘Made the Difference’ in Admissions Outcomes of Zhao Brothers, Witness Says

A former Harvard admissions officer told a federal jury on Friday that the school’s ex-fencing coach, Peter Brand, “made the difference” in the admissions outcomes of a wealthy Maryland businessman’s two sons.

Brand Trial
Fencing

Ex-Harvard Fencing Coach Wanted $7.5 Million as Admissions Bribe, Witness Says

Shortly after the son of a wealthy Maryland businessman received a likely letter from Harvard College in 2013, Peter Brand, the school’s longtime fencing coach, had a question, a government witness told a federal jury Thursday: Where’s my $7.5 million?

Brand Trial
Admissions

Brand Trial

Jie "Jack" Zhao, center, and his attorneys, William D. Wenreb, left, and Michael T. C. Packard '02, right, exit the John Joseph Moakley United States Courthouse in Boston.

Jie “Jack” Zhao
Fencing

‘Middleman’ in Harvard Fencing Coach Bribery Scandal Details Alleged Payment Schemes at Day 2 of Trial

A key government witness in the federal bribery trial of former Harvard fencing coach Peter Brand laid out new details on Tuesday about how he helped a wealthy Maryland businessman funnel money via nonprofits to the coach in exchange for recruiting spots for his sons.

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