The accused mastermind behind the diplomas-for-sale scandal at Touro College is close to admitting his guilt and packing off to state prison, Manhattan prosecutors said yesterday.
Former Touro computer honcho Michael “Mikhail” Cherner would admit to pocketing more than $100,000 in bribes from dozens of students wanting to change their bad grades to A’s or even purchase fabricated degrees.
For the right fee – anywhere from $3,000 to $25,000 – customers could buy anything from a better grade in Spanish to a Masters in Special Education, prosecutors said.
Under the proposed deal, Cherner – who directed Touro’s computer center at its Kings Highway address in Brooklyn – would also pay back what he pocketed, Assistant District Attorney Jonathan Lenzner told a Manhattan Supreme Court judge yesterday.