Horace Mann Prep School Pay-to-Play Admissions Scandal
Horace Mann, a prestigious New York City prep school, is facing allegations of a pay-to-play admissions scheme in a whistleblower lawsuit. The suit, filed by Daniel Hayward, a former assistant to businessman Qi Tom Chen, claims that Chen pledged $1 million to Horace Mann in exchange for preferential treatment for his children’s admissions. Additionally, the lawsuit accuses Chen and his companies of using business funds for personal expenses, which were allegedly disguised as tax-deductible business costs. These expenses reportedly included luxury items like wine, personal vacations, and even support for a “sexual paramour,” according to court filings.
Eric Rosen, a former federal prosecutor who led the "Varsity Blues" college admissions cases, commented on the potential legal implications for Horace Mann. Rosen highlighted that the case hinges on whether there is evidence of a direct agreement between Chen and the school’s leadership explicitly linking the donation to admissions advantages. Simply making donations with hopes of favorable treatment isn’t illegal, but any proven quid pro quo could implicate the school in tax violations or more serious legal repercussions. Currently practicing at Freedman Normand Friedland, Rosen’s insights underscore the complexities of prosecuting alleged admissions schemes and the challenges in establishing intent.
Horace Mann’s representatives deny the allegations, calling the school a “collateral damage” in a dispute unrelated to its practices, while Chen’s legal team has remained silent. The lawsuit is in its early stages, but if successful, it could set a precedent affecting how elite institutions handle large donations tied to admissions outcomes, echoing the legal and ethical issues Rosen tackled in the Varsity Blues scandal.
