New York School Officials Indicted for Accepting Bribes

In a press release, Manhattan District Attorney announced that ten individuals have been indicted for a scheme to fraudulently alter and sell college transcripts. The college under scrutiny in this investigation is Touro Colllege in New York. In February of this year, Touro College reported this case to the Computer Crimes Squad Division of the New York Police Department, who referred the case to the Attorney General.

Individuals involved in the criminal activity of this case include the former Director of Admissions at Touro College, the former Director of the Computer Center at Touro college, several Toura college students, and several public school teachers who taught in various areas around New York City.

An individual named Baron, the former Director of Admissions, and an individual named Cherner, the former Director of the Computer Center accepted bribes from students in exchange for the alteration of their transcripts. At least four individuals who never attended Touro College also bribed Baron and Cherner in exchange for fake Touro College transcripts. The press release confirms that at least three of these individuals belonged to the New York City Department of Education ("NYCDOE"). Each of these individuals needed masters degrees to obtain permanent teaching certification. These teachers submitted the fake transcripts that they bought to the NYCDOE.

One student used bribes to increase his GPA from a paltry 1.23 to an impressive 3.63. Another student, with the help of Baron and Cherner, altered her transcript to show that she had completed certain course requirements to accelerate her graduation. And yet another student's transcript was changed to show that the student had received a graduate degree. However, the student never attended any graduate level classes.

A search of Baron's house revealed many fake transcripts and student records. Baron was arrested in March of this year at his office at Touro College. Cherner was arrested earlier this month at his home in Brooklyn. Each of these defendants have been suspended from their positions at Touro College until the criminal charges against them are fully prosecuted and a legal judgment is made. The charges against these two individuals range from "Computer Trespass" to "Commercial Bribe Receiving."

Although it is too early to tell what the sentence requirements will be if these individuals are found guilty by the court, the indictments coming forth over the last couple of days are a move in the right direction. It is safe to say that the best way to get college credit is to earn it.

Sources:

District Attorney of New York Press Release, http://www.manhattanda.org/whatsnew/index.htm