A former community college basketball coach was arrested Thursday on charges he allegedly fixed grades for star players so that they could attend NCAA Division I basketball schools, authorities say.
Coach Tyrone Mushatt allegedly submitted nine forged transcripts to seven schools from 2012 to 2014 in order to transfer eight Westchester Community College basketball players to four-year colleges including St. Johns University and Long Island University, according to prosecutors.
Westchester District Attorney Janet DiFiore says that the coach abused his position and causes her to question the integrity of the college.
"As a result, the academic integrity of the College as a whole and of other team members is brought into question, making the degree that others worked hard to achieve, look less valuable," DiFiore said.
Current students agreed.
"A lot of students try their best and he just plays favorites and changed it for them. It's not OK, " said Lisa Avila.
"I guess he had good intentions for his students but it could have been applied better. Like maybe give them more tutoring time and actually paying attention to their grades," said another student, Oliver Santana.
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Most of the students whose transcripts were fixed have now been expelled from college, said officials. The college says it's continuing to cooperate with the investigation and has canceled both the men's and women's basketball seasons.
Mushatt is free on bail as he awaits trial. His attorney said in a statement, "Coach Mushatt is highly respected in the community. We fully intend to investigate these allegations and we will continue to cooperate with the district attorney's office."
