On July 29, 2020, US District Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton sentenced Hercules Capital, Inc. Founder Manuel Henriquez to six months in prison for his part in the “Varsity Blues” college admissions scheme.[1] In addition to the six-month term, Judge Gorton also ordered Henriquez to complete 200 hours of community service and pay a $200,000 fine.[2] Henriquez’s sentence is one month less than that of his wife, Elizabeth Henriquez, who received a seven-month sentence on March 31, 2020.[3] Manuel Henriquez, who pled guilty on October 21, 2019,[4] is the 16th parent sentenced, and the last of four parents federal prosecutors dubbed “the most culpable parents charged.”[5]
Manuel Henriquez’s Conduct
Prosecutors alleged Henriquez and his wife paid William “Rick” Singer nearly $50,000 to facilitate cheating on their two children’s college entrance exams.[6] According to prosecutors, the Henriquezes cheated on more standardized test than any other co-conspirator: twice for their oldest daughter and three times for their youngest daughter.[7] Prosecutors also alleged that the Henriquezes paid Singer $400,000 in bribes to get their oldest daughter into Georgetown as a fake tennis recruit in 2016, and that Manuel Henriquez agreed to use his position as a prominent alumnus and former Member of the corporation at Northeastern University to advocate for the admission of one of Singer’s other students.[8]
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