Celebrity admissions scam implicates Stanford and USC

[ttowncoug]

Excerpts;

Those indicted in the investigation, dubbed "Varsity Blues," allegedly paid bribes of up to $6 million to get their children into elite colleges, including Yale, Stanford, Georgetown and the University of Southern California, federal prosecutors said

USC President Wanda M. Austin addressed the scandal in a letter to the university community.

"The federal government has alleged that USC is a victim in a scheme perpetrated against the university by a long-time Athletics Department employee, one current coach and three former coaching staff, who were allegedly involved in a college admissions scheme and have been charged by the government on multiple charges," Austin wrote.

Austin vowed to take "appropriate employment action" against school employees involved in the scam and will review admissions decisions.

Donna Heinel, 57, the senior associate athletic director at USC; Ali Khoroshahin, 49, the former head coach of women's soccer at USC; Laura Janke, 36, former assistant coach of women's soccer at USC; Jovan Vavic, 57, the former USC water polo coach.

The NCAA better come down on these schools. USC appears to have ZERO institutional controls.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime...sions-scandal/ar-BBUG4WY?li=BBnb7Kz&ocid=iehp

 

[SaveFerris]

Not shocked. Isn't this rich parenting 101? Payoff whoever I need to in order to get my son/daughter a private education?

 

[HHusky]

Not shocked. Isn't this rich parenting 101? Payoff whoever I need to in order to get my son/daughter a private education?

I also don't think it has much to do with the kids. It's the parents' egos that are being stroked.

 

[95coug]

Most ridiculous, naive statement of the day:
"There can be no separate college admissions system for the wealthy and, I'll add, there will not be a separate criminal justice system either," Lelling said

Honestly, I find it hard to be too upset about this. So some rich people paid to get their kids into colleges. Big deal, that's been happening ever since there have been colleges to get into.

Sure, there are some fraudulent elements too, and those shouldn't go unpunished (test taking scams, fake athletic scholarships). But I'm fairly certain that if the same people had approached the schools and told them they'd do marketing appearances and/or write checks with 5-6 zeroes in them, most of those schools would fall all over themselves to waive their admissions standards.

 

[SaveFerris]

I also don't think it has much to do with the kids. It's the parents' egos that are being stroked.

The SC kid apparently said in the past that she doesn't care about school and was going to SC for the games and parties. Entitled yes but she knew her ticket was already punched and that's on mom and pop.

 

[CougEd]

Most ridiculous, naive statement of the day:
"There can be no separate college admissions system for the wealthy and, I'll add, there will not be a separate criminal justice system either," Lelling said

Honestly, I find it hard to be too upset about this. So some rich people paid to get their kids into colleges. Big deal, that's been happening ever since there have been colleges to get into.

Sure, there are some fraudulent elements too, and those shouldn't go unpunished (test taking scams, fake athletic scholarships). But I'm fairly certain that if the same people had approached the schools and told them they'd do marketing appearances and/or write checks with 5-6 zeroes in them, most of those schools would fall all over themselves to waive their admissions standards.

How do you think I got in to WSU? : )

 

[ElComanche]

I guess some people just like the status quo. I would love if some of these frauds would go to jail. But i would not hold my breath on it. It is a disgusting practice and now more people are aware of it. It certainly trumps honesty and hard work if daddy pays the bills.

 

[YakiCoug]

Excerpts;

Those indicted in the investigation, dubbed "Varsity Blues," allegedly paid bribes of up to $6 million to get their children into elite colleges, including Yale, Stanford, Georgetown and the University of Southern California, federal prosecutors said

USC President Wanda M. Austin addressed the scandal in a letter to the university community.

"The federal government has alleged that USC is a victim in a scheme perpetrated against the university by a long-time Athletics Department employee, one current coach and three former coaching staff, who were allegedly involved in a college admissions scheme and have been charged by the government on multiple charges," Austin wrote.

Austin vowed to take "appropriate employment action" against school employees involved in the scam and will review admissions decisions.

Donna Heinel, 57, the senior associate athletic director at USC; Ali Khoroshahin, 49, the former head coach of women's soccer at USC; Laura Janke, 36, former assistant coach of women's soccer at USC; Jovan Vavic, 57, the former USC water polo coach.

The NCAA better come down on these schools. USC appears to have ZERO institutional controls.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime...sions-scandal/ar-BBUG4WY?li=BBnb7Kz&ocid=iehp

Operation Varsity Blues also implicates coaches from Stanford. This is quite a story.

 

[YakiCoug]

I also don't think it has much to do with the kids. It's the parents' egos that are being stroked.

IB parents from Hell is what they are. Lock'em up!

 

[YakiCoug]

Not shocked. Isn't this rich parenting 101? Payoff whoever I need to in order to get my son/daughter a private education?

It's more than bribery. It's fraud as well. Felonies have been committed. The FBI doesn't investigate minor matters.

 

[SaveFerris]

It's more than bribery. It's fraud as well. Felonies have been committed. The FBI doesn't investigate minor matters.

Racketeering charges isn't something you want on your CV. Paying people off to cheat on the SAT/ACT is ridiculous. I hope they get some jail time but I tend to doubt it.

 

[Loyal Coug]

Racketeering charges isn't something you want on your CV. Paying people off to cheat on the SAT/ACT is ridiculous. I hope they get some jail time but I tend to doubt it.

I just can't believe sweet little Lori Loughlin would pay a buttload of money just to get her daughters into USC. How can that be? She's just...so...sweet....

And she could have just sent them to WSU where they would be cherished and respected by a couple of nice young Cougar men.

 

[SaveFerris]

I just can't believe sweet little Lori Loughlin would pay a buttload of money just to get her daughters into USC. How can that be? She's just...so...sweet....

And she could have just sent them to WSU where they would be cherished and respected by a couple of nice young Cougar men.

The Loughlin-clan appears very "LA" and definitely not Ag-literate.

 

[Coug95man2]

Great. Another "thing" for everyone to be outraged about.

 

[Cougsocal]

I also don't think it has much to do with the kids. It's the parents' egos that are being stroked.

Ding, Ding, Ding, we have a winner. It is all about "name dropping" down here. As parents we think are kids are special, but in the social media world, college admission to a name school is essential validation. Learn from my experience, "name dropping" ain't worth it. My daughter worked her butt off to get into Cal. Spent by that effort, sick of studying, she had a listless, less than fanastic college experience. I got to name drop, but she missed out on the greatest time of her life, both high school and college. Damn!!!! Make sure your kids take the time to enjoy themselves, they are only young once. It about them, not you. WSU is plenty good enough for your kids to have it all, fun, happiness, a quality education and future success.

 

[GrayOnGray]

Great. Another "thing" for everyone to be outraged about.

20+ trillion in debt, and this makes the headlines...

 

[roses04]

Unfortunately WSU doesn't have this problem, but I do know of a parent or two that donated $50,000+ to various schools at UW to assure their kids got accepted to those schools. They were good students, not like they didn't deserve it, but there are many people that deserve it that don't get it, just an added "insurance policy" taken out by the parents.

 

[avabob1]

Loughlins husband apparently also made some statement about his kid going anywhere but ASU, prompting a retort from Megan Mcain

 

[dgibbons]

Loughlins husband apparently also made some statement about his kid going anywhere but ASU, prompting a retort from Megan Mcain

Can't have those girls being on campus with "ASU" types.

Cause cheating your way into USC makes you so much better....

 

[dgibbons]

Unfortunately WSU doesn't have this problem, but I do know of a parent or two that donated $50,000+ to various schools at UW to assure their kids got accepted to those schools. They were good students, not like they didn't deserve it, but there are many people that deserve it that don't get it, just an added "insurance policy" taken out by the parents.

It is (or was) not uncommon, especially for private schools.

I assume these students were not close to passing the academic smell test for admission, so mom and dad turned to bribery instead of buying buildings.

 

[HHusky]

Ding, Ding, Ding, we have a winner. It is all about "name dropping" down here. As parents we think are kids are special, but in the social media world, college admission to a name school is essential validation. Learn from my experience, "name dropping" ain't worth it. My daughter worked her butt off to get into Cal. Spent by that effort, sick of studying, she had a listless, less than fanastic college experience. I got to name drop, but she missed out on the greatest time of her life, both high school and college. Damn!!!! Make sure your kids take the time to enjoy themselves, they are only young once. It about them, not you. WSU is plenty good enough for your kids to have it all, fun, happiness, a quality education and future success.

Agreed. My daughter got offered by Cal. People asked how she could turn that down. She trusted her gut. And my wife went to Cal. She also couldn't see our girl being happy there. Our daughter ended up having a good college experience.

 

[HHusky]

Can't have those girls being on campus with "ASU" types.

Cause cheating your way into USC makes you so much better....

Basically, if your kid is academically motivated, s/he can get a good education at almost any state university. And if not, Stanford or USC aren't going to turn the kid into a scholar.

 

[Loyal Coug]

Agreed. My daughter got offered by Cal. People asked how she could turn that down. She trusted her gut. And my wife went to Cal. She also couldn't see our girl being happy there. Our daughter ended up having a good college experience.

Your daughter is a Coug? That explains why you are always over here.

So query me this mutt (or you other lawyers). I get where cheating on the SAT is a crime. But why is it a crime on either side for Lori Laughlin to bribe a private school to let her daughters in? What law is she breaking? It's not public money or a public institution. USC can admit whoever the hell they want. I get why USC would fire their employee(s) over violating their rules, but a crime? I don't understand........

 

[HHusky]

Your daughter is a Coug? That explains why you are always over here.

So query me this mutt (or you other lawyers). I get where cheating on the SAT is a crime. But why is it a crime on either side for Lori Laughlin to bribe a private school to let her daughters in? What law is she breaking? It's not public money or a public institution. USC can admit whoever the hell they want. I get why USC would fire their employee(s) over violating their rules, but a crime? I don't understand........

Well, my girl is an Aggie (Davis). I suppose that's a little kinship.

USC, at the very least, was defrauded. There's one crime right there.

 

[SaveFerris]

Your daughter is a Coug? That explains why you are always over here.

So query me this mutt (or you other lawyers). I get where cheating on the SAT is a crime. But why is it a crime on either side for Lori Laughlin to bribe a private school to let her daughters in? What law is she breaking? It's not public money or a public institution. USC can admit whoever the hell they want. I get why USC would fire their employee(s) over violating their rules, but a crime? I don't understand........

I'm not a lawyer but in addition to the fraud committed on $C wasn't the $500K they paid under the guise of it being a donation to the ring leaders organization? The ring leader and $C Crew coach (bribery) take their respective cut and since it was a "donation" the $500K was tax deductible (fraud).

So there's your Racketeering charges on fraud and bribery as part of an organized crime. Not exactly Capone or Gotti but definitely crimes.

 

[dgibbons]

I'm not a lawyer but in addition to the fraud committed on $C wasn't the $500K they paid under the guise of it being a donation to the ring leaders organization? The ring leader and $C Crew coach (bribery) take their respective cut and since it was a "donation" the $500K was tax deductible (fraud).

So there's your Racketeering charges on fraud and bribery as part of an organized crime. Not exactly Capone or Gotti but definitely crimes.

The RICO charge is against the ringleader guy. Lori Loughlin and Felicity Huffman were charged with mail fraud, which is essentially using the mail to carry out a fraud (sending the checks).

 

[SaveFerris]

The RICO charge is against the ringleader guy. Lori Loughlin and Felicity Huffman were charged with mail fraud, which is essentially using the mail to carry out a fraud (sending the checks).

No tax evasion?

 

[dgibbons]

No tax evasion?

If they didn’t take it as a deduction, no tax fraud. Just because you right a check to a nonprofit doesn’t mean you get a deduction. All those registration fees for youth sports are not deductible.

From what I read yesterday they were arrested for mail fraud only.

 

[Loyal Coug]

USC, at the very least, was defrauded. There's one crime right there.

Defrauded by who? Their own coach, apparently.

The RICO charge is against the ringleader guy. Lori Loughlin and Felicity Huffman were charged with mail fraud, which is essentially using the mail to carry out a fraud (sending the checks).

I'm deferring to you professionals on this....

But, she mailed something to a private institution for something that might not be against the law? Preferential treatment for her daughter at a private institution? So?

Anyway, I'll be interested in seeing how it all plays out. And this has nothing to do with my crush on Lori Loughlin...…..

 

[dgibbons]

Defrauded by who? Their own coach, apparently.


I'm deferring to you professionals on this....

But, she mailed something to a private institution for something that might not be against the law? Preferential treatment for her daughter at a private institution? So?

Anyway, I'll be interested in seeing how it all plays out. And this has nothing to do with my crush on Lori Loughlin...…..

They apparently knew part of the money was for bribes. The ringleader dude rolled on them and got them to say it on tape.

 

[SaveFerris]

Defrauded by who? Their own coach, apparently.


I'm deferring to you professionals on this....

But, she mailed something to a private institution for something that might not be against the law? Preferential treatment for her daughter at a private institution? So?

Anyway, I'll be interested in seeing how it all plays out. And this has nothing to do with my crush on Lori Loughlin...…..

Obviously it does. Glad you aren't a judge.

 

[95coug]

Defrauded by who? Their own coach, apparently.


I'm deferring to you professionals on this....

But, she mailed something to a private institution for something that might not be against the law? Preferential treatment for her daughter at a private institution? So?

Anyway, I'll be interested in seeing how it all plays out. And this has nothing to do with my crush on Lori Loughlin...…..

I tend to agree that it seems like she’s got some distance from the primary crime (fraud)...but she knew about it and paid into it. At the very least that makes her an accessory.

I don’t know how the mail fraud statute reads, but technically...she didn’t defraud the person she sent the check to. That person used the check to defraud someone else. So again, arm’s length.

In the end though, she knew about the crime and didn’t tell anyone. The Seinfeld gang went to jail for that, why not Full House too?

 

[kougkurt]

Now a couple of Stanford students are suing the University saying this has de valued their diploma.

 

[HHusky]

Now a couple of Stanford students are suing the University saying this has de valued their diploma.

That claim strikes me as a bit of a stretch, but the class action for the return of application fees sounds like a plausible theory.

 

[95coug]

That claim strikes me as a bit of a stretch, but the class action for the return of application fees sounds like a plausible theory.

I don't really even see that as particularly viable. Members of the class would have to prove that they'd been damaged, and I really don't see that they can do that.

 

[BiggsCoug]

Even if they cheated to get into school they still had to do the coursework. How is your degree value lower because they got in? Now, if they cheated their way thru school and graduated, then you would prob have a case. Graduating kids that cheat and dont do the work would cause harm to your degree’s value.

 

[95coug]

Even if they cheated to get into school they still had to do the coursework. How is your degree value lower because they got in? Now, if they cheated their way thru school and graduated, then you would prob have a case. Graduating kids that cheat and dont do the work would cause harm to your degree’s value.

People lie, cheat, and steal their way to degrees from every university. Proving that a handful did it doesn't devalue anyone else's degree. That devaluation only occurs if the cheating is shown to be widespread, or that the school is a diploma mill.

 

[dgibbons]

That claim strikes me as a bit of a stretch, but the class action for the return of application fees sounds like a plausible theory.

Easy to resolve- offer a partial tuition waiver for their last semester or quarter.

I doubt Stanford wants to litigate how much a Stanford degree is worth, or how many people bought their way in.

 

[CougEd]

20+ trillion in debt, and this makes the headlines...

Are you saying this isn't news worthy?

 

[HHusky]

Easy to resolve- offer a partial tuition waiver for their last semester or quarter.

I doubt Stanford wants to litigate how much a Stanford degree is worth, or how many people bought their way in.

The class action has to do with schools the applicant was not admitted to. Paying application fees toward a rigged process, in other words. That makes sense.

I doubt anyone with a degree is going to be able to demonstrate any devaluation however. The problems of proof would be huge.