Cape Man Faces New Charge In Varsity Blues Scandal

BARNSTABLE, MA — A Hyannisport man facing several charges in "Operation Varsity Blues," a nationwide college admissions scandal was indicted on a new charge. John Wilson, a former Gap executive and the founder and CEO of Hyannis Port Capital, was indicted Tuesday in federal court on a tax fraud charge.

Federal prosecutors described the "Operation Varsity Blues" investigation the "largest ever" college recruitment scam prosecuted by the Department of Justice. Dozens of parents and college coaches were charged including actresses Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin.

Prosecutors said Wilson, also of Lynnfield, paid $220,000 to secure his son's admission to the University of Southern California as a water polo recruit. Wilson then deducted the money from his 2014 tax returns as charitable donations and business expenses, according to prosecutors.No arraignment date was set yet.

In October, Wilson was also charged with conspiracy and two counts of substantive federal programs bribery. Prosecutors said Wilson bribed USC employees to get is son into college. The conspiracy charge came after Wilson bribed SAT and ACT officials to let someone else take the exams in his son's place.