On November 16, 2020, former longtime Harvard Crimson fencing coach Peter Brand was arrested and charged under federal law with accepting over $1.5 million in bribes to arrange for the two sons of Maryland business Jie (Jack) Zhao to be admitted to the university as fencing recruits. Zhao was arrested and charged with making the bribes as well. In 2016, Zhao paid $1.5 million and also acquired Brand's previous home in 2016 for $989,500.
