Broker in college admissions scandal sentenced
Reprints
The insurance broker who became caught up in the Varsity Blues college admissions scandal has been sentenced to two months in federal prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine.
The judgment against Mark Hauser, of the Cincinnati-based Hauser Group, was issued by the U.S. District Court in Boston on Thursday.
Brown & Brown Inc. had planned to acquire the family-owned Hauser Group. According to court papers submitted by Mr. Hauser attorneys, Brown & Brown had agreed to pay $187 million for the company.
But it terminated the deal in August after it was reported that Mr. Hauser, 60, would plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud in connection with paying $40,000 to facilitate cheating on his daughter’s ACT exam.
Mr. Hauser will surrender to serve his sentence on Aug. 16, according to the judgment.
During the three years of supervised release, Mr. Hauser is required to complete 300 hours of community service each year.
The judgment in the case is harsher than what had been suggested by the U.S. attorney’s office, which recommended in a May 20 court filing that Mr. Hauser be sentenced to two months’ imprisonment, a $40,000 fine and one year of supervised release with 250 hours of community service.
The memorandum submitted by Mr. Hauser’s attorneys described his involvement as arising out of a moment of weakness generated by concern for his daughter.
Stating Mr. Hauser takes full responsibility for his actions and citing the breakdown of the Brown & Brown deal, his community service and other factors, the memorandum asks that he not have to serve any prison time and be given probation coupled with a community service program.
A spokeswoman for the U.S. attorney’s office in Boston had no further comment, while Mr. Hauser’s attorneys did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
