Additional Coverage:
- College cheating scandal ringleader required to tell new clients about crimes: Judge (abcnews.go.com)
College Admissions Scandal Mastermind Allowed to Return to Consulting, With a Catch
Boston – Rick Singer, the architect of the “Varsity Blues” college admissions scandal, has been granted permission by a federal judge to resume his college consulting career. However, there’s a significant caveat: Singer must explicitly inform clients of his criminal past.
Federal prosecutors had opposed Singer’s return to advising students after he completed his prison sentence for orchestrating a complex web of bribes involving wealthy parents, test administrators, and prestigious universities. Singer’s new venture, ID Future Stars, describes itself as offering “personalized coaching, expert guidance, and comprehensive support” to college applicants. Chief District Judge Denise Casper ruled that the company’s website, and any communication with potential clients, must include a detailed account of Singer’s crimes and punishment.
The court-mandated statement details Singer’s guilty plea to charges including racketeering conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy, conspiracy to defraud the United States, and obstruction of justice. It outlines his scheme, which involved bribing test proctors, falsifying academic transcripts, fabricating application materials, and bribing college coaches and administrators.
The statement also discloses the financial scope of the scheme, noting that Singer received over $25 million from clients, paid over $7 million to co-conspirators, and personally benefited by over $15 million. Finally, it details his sentence: 42 months in prison, three years of supervised release, over $10 million in restitution, and the forfeiture of assets exceeding $8.7 million.
Judge Casper’s ruling requires this statement to be prominently displayed on the ID Future Stars website and provided in writing to all prospective clients.
Singer’s cooperation with federal authorities was a key element in the wide-ranging “Varsity Blues” investigation, which led to charges against dozens of parents, including actresses Lori Loughlin and Felicity Huffman. Even while incarcerated in Florida and later in a California halfway house, Singer continued to offer college application advice.