Actresses charged in college admissions cheating scheme
College Board: SAT cheats will be held accountable — no matter their income or status
The College Board — the non-profit group that administers the SAT — just sent out a statement on the college admissions charges.
“Today’s arrests resulting from an investigation conducted by the US Attorney’s Office in Massachusetts send a clear message that those who facilitate cheating on the SAT — regardless of their income or status — will be held accountable," Jerome White, the board's director of media relations and external communications, said in the statement emailed to CNN.
It added:
"The College Board has a comprehensive, robust approach to combat cheating, and we work closely with law enforcement as part of those efforts. We will always take all necessary steps to ensure a level playing field for the overwhelming majority of test takers who are honest and play by the rules."
William Singer feels "remorseful" and "is excited to cooperate" with government, his attorney says
William Rick Singer’s attorney Donald H. Heller told reporters his client is "very remorseful" about the scheme and plans to cooperate with the government.
“He is excited to cooperate because he wanted to get this matter behind him," Heller said. “Information is very detailed and I’m sure there are more things coming out."
Heller went on to say that Singer "feels relieved that this part is over.”
Man behind college scheme: "I created a side door that would guarantee families would get in"
William Rick Singer appeared in court today after he agreed to plead guilty in a college admission scheme that he operated.
After Assistant US Attorney Eric Rosen outlined the charges against Singer, he admitted, “Everything Mr. Rosen said is true.”
“All of these things, and many more things, I did,” Singer said. “I created a side door that would guarantee families would get in.”
He went on to say that he bribed coaches, an act he said occurred "very frequently."
Singer's charity account, which contains $5.2 million, was seized, according to prosecutors in court. His brother was expected to post his $500,000 bond.
Singer was later seen walking out of federal court.
His sentencing is scheduled for June 19.
Man at center of the scam pleads guilty and faces a maximum of 65 years in prison
William Rick Singer, the man who owned and operated Edge College and Career Network LLC (“The Key”) at the center of the collegiate scheme, has pleaded guilty to four charges:
- Racketeering conspiracy
- Money laundering
- Tax conspiracy
- Obstruction of Justice
Singer faces:
- A maximum of 65 years in prison
- Three years of supervised release
- $1.25m dollar fine
- $400 special assessment
He is appearing before Judge Rya Zobel in a Massachusetts federal court.
Actress Lori Loughlin will surrender in L.A. this afternoon
Actress Lori Loughlin, best known for her role as Aunt Becky on "Full House," is on a flight to Los Angeles, where she is expected to surrender at the Central District Court later this afternoon, according to a law enforcement source.
Loughlin is facing a felony charge – conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud – for her alleged involvement in the college admissions scheme known as “Operation Varsity Blues."
Law enforcement source IDs government's key cooperating witness
Cooperating witness number one referenced throughout the criminal complaint is William Rick Singer, according to a law enforcement source.
William "Rick" Singer, the man at the center of the scheme, to appear in Boston court
William “Rick” Singer – the man who owned and operated Edge College and Career Network LLC (“The Key”) at the center of the collegiate scheme – will appear in Federal court in Boston today where he is expected to plead guilty.
A bio that appears on his website states Singer and team have coached, counseled and mentored over 90,000 adults.
He also wrote a book called “Getting In: Gaining Admission to your College of Choice." In a description on Amazon, that book promises "easy to understand and simple to follow steps to improve the odds of getting in to the college of your choosing."
One Amazon reviewer writes, "This book is a must -- allow Rick Singer to wave his magic pixy dust all over your life. You will be changed for the better."