Nationwide College Cheating Scandal - Actresses, Business Owners Charged, Mar 2019 *Guilty* #5

[BetteDavisEyes]

College coaches indicted in admissions bribery case

Boston – College coaches and others have been charged in a sweeping admissions bribery case unsealed in federal court.

The racketeering conspiracy charges unveiled Tuesday were brought against the coaches at schools including Wake Forest University, Georgetown and the University of Southern California.

Authorities say the coaches accepted bribes in exchange for admitting students as athletes, regardless of their ability...

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[JerseyGirl]

Judge orders new trial for former USC water polo coach convicted in college admissions case | CNN

A former University of Southern California coach who was convicted earlier this year of taking part in the college admissions scandal that rocked elite US schools has been granted a new trial.

www.cnn.com

A former University of Southern California coach who was convicted earlier this year of taking part in the college admissions scandal that rocked elite US schools has been granted a new trial.

Jovan Vavic, a famed water polo coach at USC for 25 years, was convicted by a jury in April of soliciting and accepting over $220,000 in bribes in exchange for helping secure admissions for students. He was convicted of conspiracy to commit honest services mail and wire fraud, conspiracy to commit federal programs bribery and honest services wire fraud.

Singer, who pleaded guilty to several conspiracy charges in 2019, is scheduled to be sentenced in November, according to the Justice Department.

 

[DrQ]

IMHO This whole mess makes me very angry but it really blows the top of my head off that wealthy business and celebrity individuals feel that not only are they covered in Teflon but their children took away the dream of young people who WORKED HARD to get accepted but lost out because a smug parent took the dream away. It would have pleased me for the student passed over to be accepted and the cheaters to have to pay the tuition for the applicant.

 

[Cryptic]

but their children took away the dream of young people who WORKED HARD to get accepted but lost out because a smug parent took the dream away.

Though that did happen to a degree, there are some murky components:

- All the schools have different (and for key sports, very different) academic admissions standards for athletes. As a result, the schools themselves routinely end the dreams of many people who had descent academics- but were not athletes.

- As the students who, well, "paid to play" were not the water polo, tennis, rowing or runners they were presented as, they quickly disappeared into the general student population. A good number then earned the same grades as their academic peers.

So, in the end, one can see a story of: They cheated to get into elite school "S"!! (true). But.... if they were jocks and jockettes, that same school would have gladly admitted them. Library nerds who tried very hard but could not get the best grades? Too bad!

 

[DrQ]

Though that did happen to a degree, there are some murky components:

- All the schools have different (and for key sports, very different) academic admissions standards for athletes. As a result, the schools themselves routinely end the dreams of many people who had descent academics- but were not athletes.

- As the students who, well, "paid to play" were not the water polo, tennis, rowing or runners they were presented as, they quickly disappeared into the general student population. A good number then earned the same grades as their academic peers.

So, in the end, one can see a story of: They cheated to get into elite school "S"!! (true). But.... if they were jocks and jockettes, that same school would have gladly admitted them. Library nerds who tried very hard but could not get the best grades? Too bad!

I understand your view and I agree. IMHO college is difficult to get into regardless of your academic ability or the advantage of being athletic. However, my opinion is based solely on this group of parents and the positions potentially lost to other actual deserving applicants. It is messy either way. Thanks for your view.

 

[Charlot123]

Though that did happen to a degree, there are some murky components:

- All the schools have different (and for key sports, very different) academic admissions standards for athletes. As a result, the schools themselves routinely end the dreams of many people who had descent academics- but were not athletes.

- As the students who, well, "paid to play" were not the water polo, tennis, rowing or runners they were presented as, they quickly disappeared into the general student population. A good number then earned the same grades as their academic peers.

So, in the end, one can see a story of: They cheated to get into elite school "S"!! (true). But.... if they were jocks and jockettes, that same school would have gladly admitted them. Library nerds who tried very hard but could not get the best grades? Too bad!

How much is the country punishing itself, though?

Some of athlete scholarships kids would have never gotten into good colleges were it not for their sport prowess. Perhaps they plan to get into professional sports track afterwards. If they do, the college becomes a mere vehicle. If they don’t, they end up in the regular pool of “…. graduates”, take job in companies. What might happen is that the most gifted ones, the ones who didn’t get into their choice colleges because they were not athletic, the ones you call “library nerds”, don’t grow into CEOs or CFOs or even smart politicians. Who loses? We, we do.

Why not make a “college for physical education” where people who want to be professional athletes could apply? If they want to pursue NFL, or NBA, or other tracks?

 

[Cryptic]

Why not make a “college for physical education” where people who want to be professional athletes could apply? If they want to pursue NFL, or NBA, or other tracks?

I think it would come down to money and local jobs.

Top tier sports teams (men's basketball and football) can earn tens of millions of dollars- or more for their respective schools via ticket sales, merchandise and most of all- television rights. Then factor in millions of dollars worth of fan driven hotel room purchases, restaurant meals etc. for the local economy.

Even second tier sports such as lacrosse, softball, rowing, running, swimming etc. can be relatively popular if the local college team excels at it, or if the sport is well known in the local area. Though they often don't have anywhere near the economic impact of top tier sports, they also make contributions to the local economy.

Then there is the issue of local jobs. College sports spawn a mini industry of coaches, assistant coaches, trainers, grounds keepers, referees etc. etc.

 

[Blondie in Spokane]

LA developer in college admissions scandal kills himself

The 66-year-old from Los Angeles was found hanged in his Malibu home last week after his friends requested a welfare check.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[Blondie in Spokane]

The Varsity Blues scandal that shamed Hollywood parents

On March 12, 2019, dozens of wealthy parents were arrested in dawn raids as part of Operation Varsity Blues, a DoJ investigation with a backstory worthy of a Hollywood blockbuster.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[JerseyGirl]

First 'Varsity Blues' college scandal trial convictions tested on appeal

A federal appeals court on Monday questioned whether two wealthy fathers convicted in the first "Varsity Blues" college admissions scandal trial were prejudiced by the introduction of evidence about misconduct by other parents they did not know.

www.reuters.com

A federal appeals court on Monday questioned whether two wealthy fathers convicted in the first "Varsity Blues" college admissions scandal trial were prejudiced by the introduction of evidence about misconduct by other parents they did not know.

During oral arguments, members of a three-judge panel of the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals probed what proof existed to establish former casino executive Gamal Aziz and private equity firm founder John Wilson agreed to participate in a sprawling, nationwide conspiracy.

 

[Cool Cats]

'Varsity Blues' mastermind Rick Singer pleads for leniency with sentence

The mastermind of the nationwide college admissions cheating scandal -- known by its investigative moniker "Varsity Blues" -- deserves no more than six months in prison, Rick Singer's attorneys said Wednesday in a new court filing. Federal prosecutors, however, said Wednesday night in a...

www.yahoo.com

Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 4, 2023.

 

[Laughing]

'Varsity Blues' mastermind Rick Singer pleads for leniency with sentence

The mastermind of the nationwide college admissions cheating scandal -- known by its investigative moniker "Varsity Blues" -- deserves no more than six months in prison, Rick Singer's attorneys said Wednesday in a new court filing. Federal prosecutors, however, said Wednesday night in a...

www.yahoo.com

Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 4, 2023.

Leniency? After setting up the entire system?

After hurting everyone who paid to take the SAT coast to coast & border to border?

Sure hope that doesn't happen!

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

College admissions scandal mastermind says he now lives in a trailer park and can't get a job because of the scheme

William “Rick” Singer, 62, pleaded guilty in March 2019 to running the scheme, which federal investigators dubbed Operation Varsity Blues.

www.nbcnews.com

The consultant at the center of the nationwide college admissions scandal blamed his “winning at all costs” attitude, which he said was caused in part by suppressed childhood trauma, for his actions in a letter to the judge scheduled to sentence him next week.

William “Rick” Singer, 62, who pleaded guilty in March 2019 to charges including racketeering conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy, is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 4 in U.S. District Court in Boston for running the scheme that federal investigators dubbed Operation Varsity Blues.

More than 50 people, including parents, coaches, and others, have already been convicted in the case that involved bribes, embellished athletic accomplishments, and entrance exam cheating to get often undeserving children from wealthy families into some of the most selective universities in the U.S. ...

 

[Cool Cats]

Mastermind of 'Varsity Blues' college cheating scandal sentenced to 42 months

William "Rick" Singer, the ringleader in a college admissions cheating scandal that spanned the country, was sentenced to 42 months in prison by a federal judge on Wednesday. Singer will then be on supervised release for three more years. The former college admissions consultant pleaded guilty...

www.yahoo.com

William "Rick" Singer, the ringleader in a college admissions cheating scandal that spanned the country, is expected to be sentenced Wednesday by a federal judge.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Mastermind of ‘Varsity Blues’ college admissions scheme sentenced to more than 3 years in prison

William Rick Singer was accused of raking in more than $25 million from his clients and paying bribes totaling more than $7 million in the nationwide college admissions scandal.

www.nbcnews.com

William Rick Singer, the mastermind of a nationwide college admissions cheating scheme, was sentenced to three and a half years in prison and supervised release Wednesday afternoon in Boston.

Singer, 62, pleaded guilty in March 2019 to charges including racketeering conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy in connection with the scandal, dubbed Operation Varsity Blues. He cooperated with the government’s investigation and wore a wire for the FBI.

In addition to 42 months served in prison, Singer will have three years of supervised release...

 

[Cool Cats]

Mastermind of ‘Varsity Blues’ college admissions scheme sentenced to more than 3 years in prison

William Rick Singer was accused of raking in more than $25 million from his clients and paying bribes totaling more than $7 million in the nationwide college admissions scandal.

www.nbcnews.com

William Rick Singer, the mastermind of a nationwide college admissions cheating scheme, was sentenced to three and a half years in prison and supervised release Wednesday afternoon in Boston.

Singer, 62, pleaded guilty in March 2019 to charges including racketeering conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy in connection with the scandal, dubbed Operation Varsity Blues. He cooperated with the government’s investigation and wore a wire for the FBI.

In addition to 42 months served in prison, Singer will have three years of supervised release...

Wow. Got off easy.

Does anyone know what parents received the longest sentences? How long?

 

[JerseyGirl]

Wow. Got off easy.

Does anyone know what parents received the longest sentences? How long?

I think the longest sentence was this:

Longest Sentence Yet in College Admissions Scandal Handed Down

A private equity firm founder, who was one of dozens of individuals charged in the Operation Varsity Blues scandal, was sentenced to 15 months in prison.

www.newsweek.com

John Wilson, a former business executive and the founder of a private equity firm, was sentenced to 15 months in prison for giving $1.2 million in donations that were revealed to be bribes to get his three children admitted into prestigious colleges.

 

[neesaki]

Garage Sale Mysteries with LL is playing today for the first time since the scandal, on Hallmark Movie Channel . I guess they forgave her. I noticed she also has a new movie coming up on Great American Family channel later this month.

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[JerseyGirl]

College Admissions Scandal Ringleader Rick Singer Begins Prison Sentence

Rick Singer, the mastermind behind the infamous college admissions scandal, just checked himself into prison ... where he was sentenced to spend the next 3 and a half years behind bars.

www.tmz.com

Rick Singer, the mastermind behind the infamous college admissions scandal, just checked himself into prison ... where he was sentenced to spend the next 3 and a half years behind bars.

A rep for the Federal Bureau of Prisons tells TMZ ... Singer arrived at the Federal Prison Camp Pensacola in FL Monday to begin serving his 42-month sentence.

 

[Cool Cats]

College Admissions Scandal Ringleader Rick Singer Begins Prison Sentence

Rick Singer, the mastermind behind the infamous college admissions scandal, just checked himself into prison ... where he was sentenced to spend the next 3 and a half years behind bars.

www.tmz.com

Rick Singer, the mastermind behind the infamous college admissions scandal, just checked himself into prison ... where he was sentenced to spend the next 3 and a half years behind bars.

A rep for the Federal Bureau of Prisons tells TMZ ... Singer arrived at the Federal Prison Camp Pensacola in FL Monday to begin serving his 42-month sentence.

Low sentence!!!!