Varsity Blues Scandal
| Varsity Blues Scandal | |
|---|---|
| Statute: | 18 U.S.C. § 1349, § 1956, § 1962 |
| Code: | Title 18 (Wire Fraud Conspiracy, Money Laundering, RICO) |
| Max Prison: | 20+ years (multiple counts)
|
| Agencies: | FBI, DOJ |
| Related: | Wire Fraud, Money Laundering, RICO Violations |
The Varsity Blues Scandal, officially known as Operation Varsity Blues, was a criminal investigation and prosecution of a widespread scheme to fraudulently secure college admissions for the children of wealthy families at elite American universities. Federal prosecutors described it as the largest college admissions fraud case ever prosecuted in the United States.[1]
Between 2011 and 2018, thirty-three parents paid more than $25 million to William "Rick" Singer, who used the money to bribe college athletic coaches, create fraudulent athletic profiles for students, and facilitate cheating on college entrance examinations. The scheme implicated coaches and administrators at Yale University, Stanford University, Georgetown University, the University of Southern California (USC), Wake Forest University, and other prestigious institutions.[1]
On March 12, 2019, federal prosecutors in the District of Massachusetts unsealed indictments against more than 50 individuals, including prominent business executives, attorneys, and celebrities such as actresses Lori Loughlin and Felicity Huffman. The prosecution resulted in dozens of guilty pleas, multiple prison sentences, and significant reforms in college admissions oversight.[2]
Summary
The investigation centered on William Rick Singer, a college admissions consultant who operated The Key, a for-profit college counseling company, and the Key Worldwide Foundation, a nonprofit organization that Singer used to launder bribe payments disguised as charitable donations. Singer pleaded guilty in March 2019 and cooperated extensively with investigators, allowing the FBI to record conversations with parents and coaches that formed the basis of most prosecutions.[3]
Singer described his scheme to clients as offering a "side door" into elite universities—distinguishing it from the "front door" of legitimate admission and the "back door" of major donations to universities. His methods included:
- Athletic recruitment fraud – Bribing coaches to designate applicants as recruited athletes for sports they did not play, often using fabricated credentials and photoshopped images
- Test cheating – Arranging for a corrupt proctor to allow a surrogate test-taker to complete SAT/ACT exams, or to correct students' answers after the fact
- Money laundering – Funneling payments through his nonprofit to disguise bribes as tax-deductible charitable contributions
The scandal exposed vulnerabilities in the college admissions process, particularly in athletic recruiting, and prompted significant public debate about fairness, wealth, and access to higher education.
The Scheme
Athletic Recruitment Fraud
The primary method Singer used to secure admissions was bribing college athletic coaches to designate applicants as recruited athletes, which allowed them to bypass regular admissions standards. Recruited athletes at elite universities often receive significant advantages in admissions, with coaches given "slots" for prospective team members.
Singer and his associates would:
- Identify coaches willing to accept bribes
- Create fabricated athletic profiles for students, including fake honors and achievements
- Sometimes photoshop students' faces onto images of actual athletes
- Have coaches designate the students as recruited athletes for their teams
- Ensure students were admitted through athletic recruitment pathways
- Students would typically quit or never actually join the team after admission
At USC alone, Singer's scheme involved the water polo coach, the senior associate athletic director, and women's soccer coaches. Georgetown's tennis coach accepted bribes for at least 12 students. Yale's women's soccer coach requested $450,000 to facilitate a single student's admission.[1]
Test Score Manipulation
Singer also operated a test-cheating scheme through Mark Riddell, a Harvard graduate who served as director of college entrance exams at IMG Academy in Florida. Riddell would either:
- Take the SAT or ACT exam in place of the student, using a fake ID
- Sit with the student during the exam and correct their answers afterward
- Complete the exam after the student, changing answers to achieve a target score
To facilitate this cheating, Singer bribed test administrators to allow Riddell access to testing centers, often arranging for students to take exams at specific locations where corrupt proctors worked. Parents sometimes obtained fraudulent documentation claiming their children had learning disabilities to secure extended time or private testing rooms.[1]
Riddell was paid approximately $10,000 per test and achieved scores in the 1400s on the SAT and 30s on the ACT for clients' children. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to four months in prison.[1]
Money Laundering
Singer operated the Key Worldwide Foundation as a purported charity to launder payments from parents. Parents would make "donations" to the foundation, receive tax deductions, and Singer would then use the funds to pay bribes. This allowed parents to both conceal the nature of their payments and illegally claim tax benefits.
The scheme resulted in tax fraud charges for several participants, and Singer was ordered to pay more than $10 million in restitution to the IRS.[3]
Key Figures
William "Rick" Singer – The Mastermind
Singer began his career as a high school basketball and football coach before transitioning to college admissions consulting in the 1990s. He founded Future Stars College & Career Counseling in 1992 and later established The Key and the Key Worldwide Foundation.
Singer cultivated relationships with wealthy clients through word-of-mouth referrals, marketing himself as someone who could guarantee admission to elite universities. He charged clients anywhere from $15,000 to over $1 million depending on the services required.
In September 2018, Singer agreed to cooperate with federal investigators after being confronted with evidence of his crimes. He secretly recorded phone calls and in-person meetings with parents and coaches for months, generating evidence that formed the basis of most prosecutions.
Singer pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy, conspiracy to defraud the United States, and obstruction of justice. In January 2023, he was sentenced to 42 months in federal prison—less than the six years prosecutors sought, reflecting his substantial cooperation. He was also ordered to forfeit $10.67 million in restitution to the IRS and $8.7 million in other forfeitures. Singer was released from federal prison in August 2024 and returned to advising college applicants from a California halfway house.[3][4]
Mark Riddell – The Test Taker
Mark Riddell was a Harvard graduate who worked as director of college entrance exams at IMG Academy. He was paid by Singer to take or correct SAT and ACT exams for clients' children. Riddell achieved scores of 1400+ on the SAT and 30+ on the ACT for numerous students.
After being confronted by investigators, Riddell cooperated and pleaded guilty to mail fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy. He was sentenced to four months in prison and ordered to forfeit $239,449. He was the final defendant sentenced in the case.[1]
Universities Involved
The scandal implicated coaches and administrators at multiple prestigious universities:
University of Southern California (USC)
USC was the most heavily implicated institution. Charged personnel included:
- Donna Heinel – Senior Associate Athletic Director – Sentenced to 6 months in prison
- Jovan Vavic – Water Polo Coach – Convicted but granted new trial
- Ali Khosroshahin – Former Women's Soccer Coach – Sentenced to time served
- Laura Janke – Former Women's Soccer Coach – Sentenced to time served
- Jorge Salcedo – Former Soccer Compliance Officer – Sentenced to 8 months
USC expelled students connected to the fraud and implemented new oversight measures for athletic recruitment.[5]
Yale University
- Rudy Meredith – Women's Soccer Coach – Sentenced to 5 months in prison
Meredith requested $450,000 to help secure a student's admission. Yale became the first university to rescind a student's admission in connection with the scandal (March 26, 2019). Meredith cooperated extensively with investigators.[1]
Stanford University
- John Vandemoer – Sailing Coach – Sentenced to 1 day in prison plus supervised release
Vandemoer admitted accepting $270,000 to classify two applicants as prospective sailors. Stanford expelled at least one student connected to the fraud and fired Vandemoer.[1]
Georgetown University
- Gordon Ernst – Tennis Coach – Sentenced to 30 months in prison (longest coach sentence)
Ernst accepted approximately $950,000 in bribes to facilitate admission for at least 12 students. Georgetown expelled two students connected to the scheme and fired Ernst.[1]
Wake Forest University
- William "Bill" Ferguson – Volleyball Coach – Received deferred prosecution agreement
Ferguson was placed on administrative leave following charges and entered a two-year deferred prosecution agreement.[1]
Other Institutions
The scheme also involved students seeking admission to UCLA, University of Texas, University of San Diego, and other institutions, though no coaches from these schools were charged.
Celebrity Defendants
Felicity Huffman
Actress Felicity Huffman (Desperate Housewives, Transamerica) paid $15,000 to have her older daughter's SAT scores falsified. Huffman was among the first defendants to plead guilty and express remorse.
Sentence: 14 days in prison (served 11 days), 1 year supervised release, 250 hours community service, $30,000 fine
Huffman was the first parent sentenced in the scandal. In subsequent interviews, she expressed "undying shame" over her actions.[6]
Lori Loughlin and Mossimo Giannulli
Actress Lori Loughlin (Full House, When Calls the Heart) and her husband, fashion designer Mossimo Giannulli, paid $500,000 to have their two daughters admitted to USC as fake rowing recruits. Neither daughter had any rowing experience.
Unlike Huffman, Loughlin and Giannulli initially pleaded not guilty and maintained their innocence for over a year before eventually pleading guilty in May 2020.
Loughlin's Sentence: 2 months in prison, 2 years supervised release, $150,000 fine, 100 hours community service
Giannulli's Sentence: 5 months in prison, 2 years supervised release, $250,000 fine, 250 hours community service
The difference in their sentences reflected their more extensive involvement compared to Huffman and their initial refusal to accept responsibility.[7]
Complete List of Parent Defendants
| Name | Amount Paid | Purpose | Prison Sentence | Fine |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Douglas Hodge | $850,000 | Four children, multiple schools | 9 months | $750,000 |
| Elizabeth Henriquez | $400,000+ | Cheating, athletic recruitment | 7 months | $200,000 |
| Manuel Henriquez | $400,000+ | Cheating, athletic recruitment | 6 months | $200,000 |
| Michelle Janavs | $100,000+ | Cheating, athletic recruitment | 5 months | $250,000 |
| Mossimo Giannulli | $500,000 | Fake rowing recruits (USC) | 5 months | $250,000 |
| Agustin Huneeus Jr. | $50,000+ | Cheating, fake water polo recruit | 5 months | $100,000 |
| Stephen Semprevivo | $400,000 | Fake basketball recruit | 4 months | $100,000 |
| Devin Sloane | $250,000 | Fake water polo recruit (USC) | 4 months | $95,000 |
| Todd Blake | $175,000 | Athletic recruitment | 4 months | $125,000 |
| William McGlashan | $50,000+ | Fake football recruit | 3 months | $250,000 |
| Lori Loughlin | $500,000 | Fake rowing recruits (USC) | 2 months | $150,000 |
| Mark Hauser | $80,000 | Test cheating | 2 months | $250,000 |
| Jeffrey Bizzack | $250,000 | Fake volleyball recruit | 2 months | $250,000 |
| I-Hsin "Joey" Chen | $75,000 | Test cheating | 9 weeks | $75,000 |
| Amy Colburn | $25,000 | Test cheating | 8 weeks | $12,500 |
| Gregory Colburn | $25,000 | Test cheating | 8 weeks | $12,500 |
| Diane Blake | $125,000 | Test cheating | 6 weeks | $125,000 |
| Elisabeth Kimmel | $275,000 | Fake athletic recruits | 6 weeks | $250,000 |
| Marci Palatella | $500,000 | Fake football recruit | 6 weeks | $250,000 |
| Homayoun Zadeh | $35,000 | Test cheating | 6 weeks | $20,000 |
| Jane Buckingham | $50,000 | Test cheating | 3 weeks | $40,000 |
| Marjorie Klapper | $15,000 | Test cheating | 3 weeks | $9,500 |
| Felicity Huffman | $15,000 | Test cheating | 14 days | $30,000 |
| Gordon Caplan | $75,000 | Test cheating | 1 month | $50,000 |
| Gregory Abbott | $125,000 | Test cheating | 1 month | $45,000 |
| Marcia Abbott | $125,000 | Test cheating | 1 month | $45,000 |
| Robert Flaxman | $75,000 | Test cheating | 1 month | $50,000 |
| Toby MacFarlane | $450,000 | Fake athletic recruits | 6 months | $150,000 |
| David Sidoo | $200,000 | Test cheating | 90 days | $250,000 |
| John Wilson | $1.2 million | Multiple schemes | Probation (convictions vacated) | $75,000 |
| Gamal Abdelaziz | $300,000 | Fake basketball recruit | Convictions vacated | N/A |
| Peter Jan Sartorio | $15,000 | Test cheating | Probation only | $9,500 |
| Bruce Isackson | $600,000+ | Multiple schemes | Time served | $7,500 |
| Davina Isackson | $600,000+ | Multiple schemes | Time served | $1,000 |
| Robert Zangrillo | $250,000+ | Athletic recruitment | Pardoned by Trump | N/A |
Legal Proceedings
Trials and Appeals
While most defendants pleaded guilty, a few contested the charges:
John Wilson and Gamal Abdelaziz: The only parents to go to trial, Wilson and Abdelaziz were convicted in October 2021. However, in May 2023, the First Circuit Court of Appeals vacated most of their convictions, finding that prosecutors had improperly charged them with federal programs bribery (which requires the bribe recipient to be a government official) when the coaches were not government employees. Wilson was resentenced to probation; charges against Abdelaziz were dismissed.[8]
Amin Khoury: Khoury was accused of paying $180,000 in cash to Georgetown's tennis coach through a middleman (not Singer). In June 2022, a jury acquitted him—the only acquittal in the entire investigation.[1]
Jovan Vavic: The former USC water polo coach was convicted but was granted a new trial based on issues with the original proceedings. As of late 2024, both parties have filed appeal notices.
Presidential Pardon
Robert Zangrillo, a Miami real estate developer charged with paying Singer $250,000, received a pardon from President Donald Trump on January 19, 2021, one day before Trump left office. Zangrillo's daughter had been admitted to USC as a fake rowing recruit.[1]
Impact and Reforms
Public Reaction
The scandal sparked widespread outrage and intense media coverage. It highlighted concerns about:
- The advantages wealth confers in college admissions
- Lack of oversight in athletic recruiting processes
- The pressure families face regarding elite college admission
- Inequality in access to higher education
The case became the subject of a Netflix documentary, Operation Varsity Blues: The College Admissions Scandal (2021), which used actors to dramatize FBI recordings of Singer's conversations with parents.
University Reforms
Several universities implemented changes following the scandal:
- Enhanced vetting of recruited athletes' credentials
- Increased oversight of coaches' recruiting decisions
- Auditing of athletic recruitment slots
- Separation of admissions decisions from athletic department influence
Regulatory Gap
Despite the scandal's prominence, college consulting remains an unregulated industry. Singer returned to advising prospective college students after his release from prison, though a judge ordered him to disclose his criminal history to new clients.[4]
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What was the Varsity Blues scandal?
The Varsity Blues scandal (officially Operation Varsity Blues) was a federal investigation into a criminal conspiracy to fraudulently secure college admissions at elite universities. Between 2011 and 2018, wealthy parents paid over $25 million to William Rick Singer, who bribed college coaches, fabricated athletic credentials, and facilitated cheating on standardized tests. More than 50 people were charged, including coaches at Yale, Stanford, USC, and Georgetown, as well as celebrities like Lori Loughlin and Felicity Huffman.[1]
Q: Who was Rick Singer in the college admissions scandal?
William Rick Singer was the mastermind of the Varsity Blues scheme. He operated a college counseling company called The Key and a sham charity (Key Worldwide Foundation) used to launder bribes. Singer pleaded guilty to racketeering, money laundering, and other charges. He was sentenced to 42 months in prison in January 2023, was released in August 2024, and controversially returned to advising college applicants.[3]
Q: Which celebrities were involved in the Varsity Blues scandal?
The most prominent celebrities were actresses Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin. Huffman paid $15,000 for test cheating and served 14 days in prison. Loughlin and her husband Mossimo Giannulli paid $500,000 for fake rowing recruits at USC. Loughlin served 2 months in prison; Giannulli served 5 months.[6][7]
Q: Which universities were involved in the college admissions scandal?
Coaches and administrators were charged from Yale University, Stanford University, USC, Georgetown University, and Wake Forest University. USC was the most heavily implicated, with its senior associate athletic director and multiple coaches charged. Other schools where students sought fraudulent admission included UCLA, University of Texas, and University of San Diego.[1]
Q: How did the Varsity Blues scheme work?
Rick Singer operated two main schemes. First, he bribed coaches to designate students as recruited athletes even though they didn't play the sport, sometimes using photoshopped athletic profiles. Second, he arranged for test proctor Mark Riddell to take or correct SAT/ACT exams for students. Parents paid through Singer's fake charity, disguising bribes as tax-deductible donations.[1]
Q: What was the longest sentence in the Varsity Blues case?
Rick Singer received the longest sentence: 42 months (3.5 years). Among coaches, Georgetown tennis coach Gordon Ernst received 30 months. Among parents, Douglas Hodge received 9 months for bribes totaling $850,000. Most parents received sentences of 3 months or less, with some receiving only probation.[1]
Q: Did anyone go to trial in the Varsity Blues case?
Most defendants pleaded guilty, but parents John Wilson and Gamal Abdelaziz went to trial. They were convicted in October 2021, but the First Circuit Court of Appeals overturned most of their convictions in May 2023. Amin Khoury was the only defendant acquitted at trial. USC coach Jovan Vavic was convicted but granted a new trial.[8]
Q: Were any students charged in the Varsity Blues scandal?
No students were criminally charged. The prosecution focused on parents, coaches, and facilitators. However, several students faced university consequences including expulsions and rescinded admissions. Yale was the first to rescind a student's admission (March 2019).[1]
Related Profiles
Defendants with Prisonpedia profiles:
- Lori Loughlin – Actress sentenced to 2 months
Suggested additional profiles:
- Felicity Huffman – First parent sentenced (14 days)
- Mossimo Giannulli – Fashion designer, husband of Lori Loughlin (5 months)
- Michelle Janavs – "Hot Pockets heiress" (5 months)
- William McGlashan – TPG Capital executive (3 months)
- Douglas Hodge – Former PIMCO CEO (9 months, longest parent sentence)
See also
- Wire Fraud
- Money Laundering
- Bribery of Public Officials
- Tax Evasion
- Differences Between Federal and State Prosecution
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 U.S. Department of Justice, "Investigations of College Admissions and Testing Bribery Scheme," https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/investigations-college-admissions-and-testing-bribery-scheme
- ↑ NBC News, "Lori Loughlin, Felicity Huffman among 50 charged in college admissions scheme," March 12, 2019, https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/feds-uncover-massive-college-entrance-exam-cheating-plot-n982136
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 NPR, "Rick Singer, head of the college admissions bribery scandal, gets 42 months in prison," January 4, 2023, https://www.npr.org/2023/01/04/1146837418/rick-singer-sentenced-varsity-blues-college-admissions-bribery-scandal
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 ABC News, "Rick Singer, man behind college admissions scandal, is again advising students," November 2024, https://abcnews.go.com/US/rick-singer-varsity-blues-college-scandal-back/story?id=114899131
- ↑ USC, "USC information on college admissions issue," https://change.usc.edu/usc-information-on-college-admissions-issue/
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 CBS News, "Felicity Huffman breaks silence about college admission scandal: 'Undying shame,'" https://www.cbsnews.com/news/felicity-huffman-breaks-silence-about-college-admission-scandal/
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Esquire, "Lori Loughlin Was Released from Prison After Serving a Two-Month Sentence," https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/tv/a35083931/lori-loughlin-college-admissions-scandal-felicity-huffman-operation-varsity-blues-full-house/
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 WBUR, "Appeals court tosses convictions of 2 parents in 'Varsity Blues' college admissions scandal," May 11, 2023, https://www.wbur.org/news/2023/05/11/varsity-blues-college-admissions-scandal-overturned