Harvard coach fired over sale of home to prospect’s father

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Harvard University has fired a fencing coach over the sale of his home for nearly double its assessed value to a wealthy businessman whose teenage son was later admitted to the school and joined the team.

Athletic Director Bob Scalise said in an emailed statement Tuesday that head fencing coach Peter Brand has been fired for violating Harvard’s conflict-of-interest policy.

The Boston Globe reported in April that Brand received nearly $1 million in 2016 for his suburban Boston three-bedroom house, which was assessed at the time at about $550,000.

The buyer, Jie Zhao, never lived in the home and sold it at a steep loss 17 months later.

The Globe reported last month that a federal grand jury is investigating the sale. Both men have denied wrongdoing.

An email seeking comment was sent to Brand’s attorney Tuesday.