An Ambler man, Robert Repella, has decided to plead guilty in connection with using fraud and bribery to facilitate his child’s acceptance to Georgetown University. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts made the announcement today.
Repella, 61, will plead guilty to an Information charging him with one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud. A plea hearing was scheduled before Judge Allison D. Burroughs earlier today at 10:30 a.m.
According to the terms of Repella’s plea agreement, the government will recommend a sentence of 10 months in prison, one year of supervised release, a fine of $40,000, and restitution.
Repella is the 26th parent to plead guilty in this case that involved parents bribing college coaches to recruit their children. According to the announcement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Repella agreed to pay the Georgetown tennis coach more than $50,000 directly, in exchange for purporting to recruit his daughter to the Georgetown tennis team. Repella has agreed to cooperate with the government’s investigation.
The charge of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.