Harvard, Harvest Bible Chapel, and NRA Scandals

The University of Maryland Medical System is not the only charity scandal with developments this month. Here is a brief update on three other prominent ones:

• The Boston Globe reported additional, extensive details regarding the alleged purchase of Harvard University admissions through “donations” to a foundation established by the then fencing coach and other business transactions, in an echo of the Varsity Blues scandal. (Harvard dismissed the fencing coach earlier this year.)

• Journalist and writer Julie Roys reported that megachurch Harvest Bible Chapel has received a financial review from the law firm of Wagenmaker & Oberly that reveals “a massive corporate governance failure apparently developed over several years at HBC.” The report traces the failure primarily to now former Senior Pastor James MacDonald, and says that he “appears to have extensively misused HBC’s financial resources for improper financial benefit.” In response, James MacDonald has asserted his innocence.

• Finally, the NRA is facing not only complaints from its past supporters but now a lawsuit from one of them, in addition to continuing government investigations.

Lloyd Mayer