Arraignment delayed for tutor in Corona del Mar High cheating scandal

The arraignment for a private tutor suspected of being at the center of a Corona del Mar High School cheating scandal was delayed Wednesday.

Timothy Lance Lai, 29, had been scheduled for a court date while in custody at Orange County Jail, but he posted $200,000 bond about 11:30 p.m. Tuesday and was released, a sheriff’s official said.

A new hearing will be set for Lai to face one felony count of second degree commercial burglary and four felony counts of computer access and fraud, according to the Orange County District Attorney’s office.

Lai is suspected of masterminding a scheme to hack into computers at the Newport Beach high school and change students’ grades.

Prosecutors believe Lai fled the country after the scandal came to light in 2013.

Newport Beach police arrested him at Los Angeles International Airport on Monday.

Any conditions of Lai’s release on bail, such as confiscating his passport, will have to be set at his arraignment, Orange County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Lt. Jeff Hallock said.

— Jeremiah Dobruck

Twitter: @jeremiahdobruck