Film Stars, Wealthy Parents, Coaches Charged in Huge College Bribery Scheme

Amber C. Strong : Mar 13, 2019
CBN News

"This case is about the widening corruption of elite college admissions through the steady application of wealth combined with fraud. There can be no separate college admission for the wealthy and I will add there will not be a separate criminal justice system either." -US Attorney Andrew Lelling

(Washington, DC)—[CBN News] The Justice Department calls a major bribery investigation the largest college admission prosecution in its history. (Screengrab image: William Singer/via CBN News)

Dozens of people including coaches and parents and even some Hollywood stars have been indicted.

It's known as Operation Varsity Blues. US prosecutors on Wednesday indicted 50 people in an expansive bribery campaign involving admission to some of the nation's most elite schools.

According to the DOJ, testing administrators, nine coaches, and 33 parents exchanged $25 million over eight years in order to manipulate test scores and athletic abilities.

The alleged mastermind, 58-year-old William Singer, would bribe administrators to change test scores or allow an accomplice to take the test instead of the student. Singer would also pay coaches to guarantee a client's a spot on a team.

Also caught up in the scandal—"Fuller House" actress Lori Loughlin and Felicity Huffman of TV's "Desperate Housewives."

"Singer's clients paid him anywhere between $100,000 and $6.5 million for this service," said US Attorney Andrew Lelling. "This case is about the widening corruption of elite college admissions through the steady application of wealth combined with fraud. There can be no separate college admission for the wealthy and I will add there will not be a separate criminal justice system either."

Universities on the list include Yale, Georgetown, and UCLA.

Prosecutors say they have no indication the schools knew anything about the plan. In most cases, the students were left in the dark as well. However, they reiterate this is an active investigation and more charges could come for coaches and parents. Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here