Ex-Student Guilty in USC Grade-Changing Scandal

A 28-year-old former USC student was convicted today by a Los Angeles Superior Court jury of paying to have his grades altered through the university’s computer system.

Jurors found Merhdad (Michael) Amini of Beverly Hills guilty of three counts of illegal computer access but were unable to reach a verdict on whether the defendant acted as a middleman for other students who wanted their grade transcripts improved.

Judge Fred Woods declared a mistrial on two additional counts of illegal computer access and set sentencing for Sept. 3. Deputy Dist. Atty. Stephen Plafker said Amini, who is being held in lieu of $100,000 bail, faces a maximum of four years and four months in prison.

Amini, an Iranian national, was accused of paying Darryl Gillard, a former employee of the university’s registration and records office, to make the changes between May, 1983, and May, 1984.

Gillard, also 28, pleaded guilty July 21 to participating in the scheme and testified against Amini.

The grade-tampering scheme, which USC authorities say may have involved as many as 43 students, was uncovered in the spring of 1984 after an academic adviser became suspicious of a student’s transcript.