In college admissions scandal, Chapman University said its investigation found no illegal conduct
An outside investigation team engaged by Chapman University after the school was subpoenaed as part of federal prosecutors’ investigation into a nationwide admissions scandal found no conduct on behalf of the university “that it considers to be illegal,” President Daniele Struppa said in a statement released to the campus.
Chapman admitted a student who prosecutors allege submitted a fake SAT score and the school acknowledged receiving $400,000 in various donations between 2017 and 2018 through an organization associated with William “Rick” Singer, who pled guilty in March to racketeering, fraud, money laundering and obstruction of justice charges for his role in directing the $25 million college admissions bribery scheme that has rocked campuses across the country.
“No Chapman employee has been indicted in connection to the national admissions scandal, nor has the government accused Chapman of any wrongdoing,” Struppa said in the statement released Thursday, May 23.
The school’s own external investigation team, led by a former federal prosecutor, got started as soon as Chapman got federal prosecutors’ permissions to do so.
Numerous university coaches and wealthy parents such as actresses Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin were among the more than 50 people who have been charged in the scandal that involved cheating on ACT and SAT college entrance tests and bribing coaches to gain admission for students into elite schools.
In November, federal prosecutors subpoenaed Chapman for documents related to nine students, as well as documents related to the Key Worldwide Foundation’s donations to the university, Struppa said. Singer is the foundation’s president.
A portion of those donations went to the endowment for the school’s men’s lacrosse club team, and a portion went to Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, Struppa said. Some donations were made near the time admissions decisions were made.
“Chapman admitted multiple students who worked with Singer,” Struppa said. “At the same time, Chapman denied multiple applicants who worked with Singer, including students of families Singer indicated would donate. At this point, we are still evaluating if any action is needed regarding current students.”
Also, the university found no evidence that it could have identified those fraudulent SAT scores, or that it acted negligently in reviewing those scores, Struppa said.
The school is evaluating its policies, with a focus on conflicts of interest, ethics, admissions and donations, among others. Chapman is also reassessing the structure and staffing of offices related to compliance and legal issues and instituting “a stronger barrier” between fundraising and admissions department, Struppa said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.