First person sentenced in college admissions scandal receives no prison time
![Stanford University sailing coach John Vandemoer.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XPx7HP6ea8SXEU7Ktn92Ld-415-80.jpg)
The first person to be sentenced as part of the college admissions scandal will not have to serve time in prison.
John Vandemoer, the former Stanford University head sailing coach who prosecutors said took $610,000 in bribes to falsely list students as sailing recruits, on Wednesday was sentenced to two years of supervised release, USA Today reports. His sentence included one day in prison that was deemed served. He was also hit with a $10,000 fine.
This sentencing came as part of the massive nationwide investigation involving parents paying to get their children admitted into prestigious universities. Some, including actress Felicity Huffman, allegedly paid in order to have proctors help their children cheat on the SATs. Other parents allegedly paid bribes so that coaches would say that their children were recruits for sports that they didn't actually play.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-320-80.jpg)
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Vandemoer pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit racketeering, and prosecutors were seeking 13 months in prison. But the judge on Wednesday said prison time was not necessary, as Vandemoer didn't use the money he received personally but instead put it toward the sailing program, USA Today reports. Vandemoer told The Wall Street Journal on Wednesday, "This was the biggest mistake of my life."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Today's political cartoons - September 7, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - football widows, meddling kids, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Smoking ban: the return of the nanny state?
Talking Point Starmer's plan to revive Sunak-era war on tobacco has struck an unsettling chord even with some non-smokers
By The Week UK Published
-
Crossword: September 7, 2024
The Week's daily crossword puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
Puffed rice and yoga: inside the collapsed tunnel where Indian workers await rescue
Speed Read Workers trapped in collapsed tunnel are suffering from dysentery and anxiety over their rescue
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
More than 2,000 dead following massive earthquake in Morocco
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mexico's next president will almost certainly be its 1st female president
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
North Korea's Kim to visit Putin in eastern Russia to discuss arms sales for Ukraine war, U.S. says
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Gabon's military leader sworn in following coup in latest African uprising
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published