Back in Julof y we learned about a scandal at the University of Illinois. Former Governor Rod Blagojevich used his influence to gain admission to the law school for several well connected candidates, in exchange for finding high paying jobs for five graduates regardless of their academic record or bar exam results. Having already taken a nasty publicity hit, the school is about to take a hefty financial hit as well. In response to several Freedom Of Information Act requests, the school has released several invoices from firms serving as outside counsel on the matter – including invoices for legal services relating to compliance with the FOIA request itself.
The largest chunk of change is going to Latham & Watkins, who will receive nearly $400,000 for preparing the school to cooperate with the state commission investigating their admissions practices. Several other firms have billed the school from $10k to $15k. According to the school, the money will come out of the University’s general fund.
