Admissions at Yale violate rights, says Justice Dept.

WASHINGTON • The U.S. Justice Department on Thursday accused Yale University of illegally discriminating against Asian American and white applicants in its undergraduate admissions process in violation of U.S. civil rights law.

The findings are the result of a two-year investigation in response to a complaint by Asian-american groups concerning Yale’s conduct, the department said in a statement, adding that it was prepared to file a lawsuit against Yale if the school did not take “remedial measures.”

A Yale spokeswoman said the university “categorically denies” the allegations but has cooperated fully with the investigation.