A California real estate developer was sentenced to one month in prison Friday for his role in the college admissions bribery scandal, becoming the 10th parent to be sentenced in a case that has exposed the corrupt methods the rich and famous have used to secure spots for their children at elite universities.
Robert Flaxman, 63, appeared in Boston’s federal court for sentencing Friday after pleading guilty in May to a single count of fraud and conspiracy, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office.
Prosecutors say Flaxman paid $75,000 in 2016 to have a test proctor give his daughter answers on her ACT exam, which they say helped her get into an undisclosed college.
According to court documents, authorities obtained emails in which Flaxman coordinated with William “Rick” Singer to funnel payments to the test proctor through Singer’s phony nonprofit Key Worldwide Foundation, and recorded a phone call during which Flaxman admitted to making the payments.
Court documents also state that Flaxman paid $250,000 in 2016 to secure a spot for his son on one of the athletic teams at the University of San Diego.
Flaxman’s attorney was not immediately available for comment Friday.
Singer, who prosecutors have called the mastermind behind the “Varsity Blues” scandal, has pleaded guilty to charges of fraud, racketeering, money laundering and obstruction of justice.
In addition to Flaxman, Manuel Henriquez, the former head of an investment company in California, agreed to plead guilty Friday for his role in the scandal. He was charged in April with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and honest services mail and wire fraud, as well as money laundering conspiracy. His spouse, Elizabeth, is also charged in connection to the scheme.
Prosecutors say the couple paid Singer $25,000 in 2015 to arrange to have their daughter’s SAT scores fixed and $400,000 to have her admitted to Georgetown as a tennis recruit. Court records show their daughter was offered admission in the spring of 2016.
Henriquez has a plea hearing scheduled for Oct. 21 at 2 p.m.
Earlier this month, actress Felicity Huffman, 56, was sentenced to two weeks in prison for her role in the scandal. She was also issued a $30,000 fine and 250 hours of community service. Huffman reported to a federal prison to begin her sentence on Tuesday.