Gordon Caplan, the New York-based co-chair of international law firm Willkie Farr & Gallagher and The American Lawyer's 2018 Dealmaker of the Year, has been named as a defendant in a nationwide college admissions scandal.

In a press conference held Tuesday, U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts Andrew Lelling named Caplan among nearly 50 defendants charged for their alleged role in a nationwide scheme to manipulate the U.S. college admissions system. Among the defendants: Actresses Lori Loughlin and Felicity Huffman—wife of actor William H. Macy—best known for her roles on “Desperate Housewives” and “Transamerica.”

Participants from several states—including Florida, New York, Texas, California and Connecticut—allegedly faked test scores, took college exams for students, bribed coaches and created fake profiles to improve applicant's chances of gaining admission by making them appear to be athletes. According to Massachusetts prosecutors, wealthy parents hired defendant William Singer to bolster their children's chances of college admission.