Yale Reports that Internal Investigation by WilmerHale Shows Recruiting Scandal Was Isolated

An investigation by outside legal counsel has found no evidence that any Yale coach other than former women’s soccer coach Rudy Meredith accepted bribes to provide fraudulent athletic endorsements or that anyone other than two previously identified applicants received such endorsements. The four-month investigation, conducted by the law firm WilmerHale at the request of Yale, included a review of thousands of documents and interviews with coaches and administrators in athletics and admissions. The external investigation is one of a series of measures the university has initiated to ensure the integrity of its admissions process. It has established new protocols for athletic recruiting and strengthened its admissions procedures. It also is working with the consulting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) on additional safeguards. Meredith, who resigned in November 2018, pleaded guilty in March to fraud-related charges after admitting to federal authorities that he had participated in a bribery scheme run by William Singer, the CEO of a California-based college prep company.  Singer’s scheme also involved paying bribes to coaches at several other selective universities and helping applicants cheat on standardized tests. Of the two applicants to whom Meredith provided fraudulent athletic endorsements, one was denied admission while the other was admitted to Yale. That student’s admission was rescinded after Yale learned of the scheme.