A felony conviction in many jurisdictions, including New York where Caplan is admitted, generally warrants disbarment.Įven an acquittal from the criminal charge, or conviction of a lesser offense, would not resolve disciplinary proceedings, which would seem to be inevitable at least based upon the current allegations.
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The result of the criminal case could have serious ramifications for Caplan’s legal career. In fact, news reports today indicate that Caplan has been given an indefinite leave of absence from the firm and is relieved from all management responsibilities at this time. It would also seem highly unlikely that the Willkie firm would allow itself to be managed by Caplan at least until the criminal case is resolved. There is of course the damage inflicted on his reputation, which may be immeasurable. The maximum punishment for conspiracy to commit wire fraud is 20 years in prison. Of course, the most serious exposure he faces is from the criminal charges. The complaint alleges that between June and December 2018, Caplan worked with middleman William Singer to guarantee that his daughter, who had scored in the low 20’s on an earlier test, would end up with an ACT score of 32.Ĭaplan suddenly has a lot on his plate, and it is not billable (at least by him). Part of the scheme also involved Caplan taking his daughter to a certain psychiatrist, who would then support a claim that she qualified for extended test time for the ACT. Attorney’s Office calls a “nationwide conspiracy that facilitated cheating on college entrance exams and the admission of students to elite universities.”Ĭaplan, a lawyer who has practiced for 25 years without any published discipline, was charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud.Īccording to the criminal complaint, Caplan paid $75,000 for someone to proctor an admissions exam for his daughter and then adjust her answers to ensure she received a predetermined score.
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The result of an FBI investigation dubbed “Operation Varsity Blues,” Caplan, as well as dozens of other well-to-do parents, was involved in what the U.S. The co-chair of Willkie Farr, Gordon Caplan, was named today in an unsealed federal indictment.