Ali Khosroshahin, Racketeering Conspiracy, Massachusetts 2019

BOSTON – A shocking turn of events in the ongoing college admissions scandal as a university athletic coach and a former accountant pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston.

Ali Khosroshahin, 49, of Fountain Valley, Calif., a former head coach of women's soccer at the University of Southern California, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit racketeering. U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani scheduled sentencing for October 25, 2019.

According to the terms of the plea agreement, the government will recommend a sentence at the low end of the federal Sentencing Guidelines, one year of supervised release, a fine, restitution and forfeiture. Khosroshahin is cooperating with the government's investigation.

The charge of racketeering conspiracy provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater, and restitution. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Steven Masera, 69, of Folsom, Calif., a former accountant and financial officer for the Edge College & Career Network and the Key Worldwide Foundation, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit racketeering. Judge Talwani scheduled sentencing for October 22, 2019. According to the terms of the plea agreement, the government will recommend a sentence at the low end of the federal Sentencing Guidelines, one year of supervised release, a fine, restitution and forfeiture. Masera is also cooperating with the government's investigation.

The details contained in the court documents are allegations and the remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The investigation is ongoing, and the U.S. Attorney's Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are urging anyone with information to come forward.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/two-defendants-college-admissions-case-plead-guilty-0