It's a widespread problem
I teach computer science courses at the local University of Phoenix campus. There's a lot of pressure to inflate grades. I try to resist it but that just results in student complaints.
I read a report a couple years ago (unconfirmed) that the minimum grade given at Stanford for any class was a C, even if the student never showed up for class or did any of the work. It's almost to the level of the old "diploma mill" saying, "Pay your fee and get a B. Go a day and get an A."