A federal judge on Thursday ordered a new trial for Jovan Vavic, a former decorated University of Southern California water polo coach convicted in the sprawling college admissions bribery scandal.
When asked in student loan relief was 'fair,' President Joe Biden questioned if tax breaks for the wealthy were fair.BOSTON — A federal judge on Thursday ordered a new trial for a former decorated University of Southern California water polo coach convicted in the sprawling college admissions bribery scandal.
Prosecutors accused Vavic of taking more than $200,000 in bribes to fake athletic credentials and designate college applicants as water polo athletes to get them into USC. Vavic's lawyers argued at trial that he was just doing what he could to raise money for his dominant program as athletic officials at the elite Los Angeles school had demanded. They argued he was always acting in the best interests of the school and his team, never lied and never took a bribe.
"However distasteful, there is nothing inherently illegal about a private institution accepting money in exchange for a student's admission," Talwani said."The government's argument is further undermined here where there was no suggestion that USC returned the money once the scheme was revealed." Massachusetts U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins said her office is reviewing all of its options in response to the ruling.
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