Montco Dad Bribed Coach With $50K To Recruit Daughter: Feds

AMBLER, PA — A Montgomery County man is planning to plead guilty to fraud and bribery in an effort to get his daughter into Georgetown University, according to federal authorities.

Robert Repella, 61, of Ambler, will plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud for allegedly paying the school's tennis coach to recruit his daughter.

According to authorities, Repella — who was not involved in the conspiracy with William “Rick” Singer which included actresses Felicity Huffman and Lori Laughlin — agreed to pay Georgetown tennis coach Gordon Ernst more than $50,000 directly, in exchange for purporting to recruit his daughter to the Georgetown tennis team. Federal authorities accused Ernst of taking $2.7 million in bribes.

Repella agreed to cooperate with the government’s investigation.

As part of Repella’s plea agreement, the government will recommend a sentence of 10 months in prison, one year of supervised release, a fine of $40,000, and restitution.

Repella is the 26th parent to plead guilty in this case, authorities said.