03-27-2008, 01:50 PM
Quote:Guilty pleas entered in Diploma Mill scam
Posted: March 26, 2008 11:18 AM PDT
Updated: March 26, 2008 11:19 AM PDT
Story by:
Melissa Luck / KXLY4 Executive Producer
SPOKANE -- Most of the defendants in the Spokane diploma mill case pleaded guilty Wednesday morning in U.S. District Court.
Dixie and Steve Randock and her daughter, Heidi Lorhan pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud. The Randocks were accused of operating several online diploma mills, including the fictitious St. Regis University.
Prosecutors allege the mills brought in more than $2 million. The operators sold fake diplomas online and even created false transcripts to send out to customers.
Court records also allege the operators of these local diploma mills were bribing government officials from Liberia, paying them thousands of dollars for accreditation. Several people have already pleaded guilty in connection with the scam.
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