Netflix Releases Documentary About the Largest College Admissions Scandal
Chris Smith’s Netflix original documentary Operation Varsity Blues: The College Admissions Scandal is now trending in Netflix’s top ten categories after not even a week since its release date. The documentary explores the biggest college admissions scandal where wealthy parents and top celebrities cheated to get their kids accepted to some of the most prestigious schools in the United States. The mastermind behind it all is a man known as Rick Singer. Actors and actresses reenact the actual conversations, secretly recorded by the FBI, between the individuals involved in the scandal. The documentary reveals just how broken the American college admissions process is and how far wealth and fame can get you.
Operation Varsity Blues refers to the college admissions scandal that broke the internet in March 2019 involving many wealthy families. Lori Loughlin, known for her role on Full House, and Felicity Huffman, known for her role on Desperate Housewives, were involved in the scam. Along with many other CEOs, high-profile lawyers, and college coaches and staff.
They were born with every advantage — and they still cheated.
— Netflix (@netflix) March 18, 2021
Operation Varsity Blues: The College Admissions Scandal is now on Netflix pic.twitter.com/ZnO7wOXRMw
Rick Singer bribed college athletic coaches to recruit students regardless of their athletic ability. He professionally photoshopped kid’s faces to prove participation in a sport they have never played. He also worked to bribe ACT and SAT exam administrators to falsify answers. It has been called the biggest college admissions scandal ever prosecuted by the U.S. Justice Department.
The federal prosecutors have charged over 50 people in the case. Many people pleaded guilty to their charges, but not all. Huffman and Loughlin were of the group that pleaded guilty. Huffman served less than two weeks in prison, and Loughlin served only two months. The longest sentencing in the case thus far has been nine months in federal prison.
I love that part of Felicity Huffman’s sentencing is that she has to pay a $30,000 fine.
— Ky Krebs (@kykrebs) October 16, 2019
Part of her sentence is to pay money for beneficial treatment by the justice system regarding her crime of paying for beneficial treatment by a college admissions process.
The federal government first confronted Singer before any other individuals involved. Singer then made an agreement with federal agents to bring others involved with him down. He wore a wire that recorded his phone calls and in-person visits with clients. These recordings were the foundation of the federal government’s case against Singer and everyone involved. The FBI had evidence from tapping into Singer’s phone calls before they launched the initial investigation along with the recordings.
Watching the college admissions scandal documentary on Netflix, and as a first generation college student, I couldn’t be filled with more rage
— 🌵 Dra Megan Figueroa (@megandfigueroa) March 19, 2021
Singer pleaded guilty and admitted that he was the mastermind of it all. However, the 60-year old is still a free man residing in Newport Beach out on $500,000 bail. He has not been sentenced to prison because his testimony is the basis of the entire case. Singer is now considered a cooperating informant. He will be sentenced soon, but he will get a lesser sentence because he cooperated with the FBI. In criminal cases, it is typical for the main culprit to help sentence everyone else involved, and in return, they get some leniency resulting in less prison time.
Anyone watch the Netflix doc on college cheating scandal? So, the guy who did it, Rick Singer, gave up all his clients and isn’t going to jail and is driving around in his Porsche? Kind of feels like he conned the FBI a bit too.
— Andrew Perloff (@andrewperloff) March 21, 2021
The documentary Operations Blue Varsity: The College Admissions Scandal is available for streaming on Netflix. Prepare to become educated and probably even a little enraged about the admissions process in America.
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