Cheat, Bribe, Lie – US College Admissions Scam: CNN

A college admissions operation involving fraud, conspiracy and racketeering thrived on the allure of American cultural icons –sports, charitable giving, shortcuts and elite universities as the starting point to a life of success. The ringleader pled guilty, and US federal prosecutors have charged 50 defendants associated with the organization known as the Key – including high-profile parents, test officials, coaches. The prosecutors described an operation of parents paying millions of dollars to connect their children to coaches of sports in which they had not participated, take standardized tests with proctors who changed responses, and tout awards that do not exist. College value talented athletes and coaches recommend applicants, and the organization’s CEO admitted to bribing coaches: “In exchange, they would recommend to admissions officials that certain students be accepted, even if the student didn't play the sport and had false athletic credentials.” Parents paid for services by donating a nonprofit foundation connected with the Key – and presumably deducted these donations from their taxes. Every student enrolled with fraud stole a place for a qualified student. Parents, desperate to support their children, have only exposed them to lifelong scrutiny of any achievements and ridicule. – YaleGlobal