Funviralpark Rick Singer’s attorney Wednesday said in a new court filing that he was the mastermind behind the nationwide college admissions fraud scandal, an investigation known as “The Varsity Blues,” which has been in business for six months. He said he deserves a maximum sentence of imprisonment.
But federal prosecutors said in a sentencing memorandum Wednesday night that Singer deserves six years in prison, well above the six-month sentence sought by the defense.
Singer pleaded guilty in 2018 and has since been involved in bribes paid to sports coaches, SAT and ACT proctors, and others to allow students of wealthy parents to cheat on some of the most prestigious schools in the country. Actresses Lori Loughlin and Felicity Huffman were among more than 30 parents indicted.
Stephen Sen/AP, FILE
Singer’s attorney said three years’ probation, including 12 months of home detention, was sufficient sentence, but “if imprisonment is determined to be necessary, six months’ sentence, followed by A three-year supervised release, including community service, will follow, which will meet the sentencing objectives.”
With Singer’s help, prosecutors were able to win 53 convictions, which defense attorneys said merited a judge’s consideration.
Prosecutors said Singer would have to pay the IRS $10,668,841 in damages and confiscate more than $3 million in cash and certain assets worth more than $5 million, in addition to a prison sentence. .
“Singer was the architect of a massive decade-long scheme to use fraud and bribery to secure high school admission to elite colleges and universities across the country,” prosecutors wrote. The target Singer’s plan was also breathtaking in its audacity and the level of deception that went with it.”
The government verdict acknowledged that Singer’s cooperation led to the convictions of more than 50 defendants, but also suggested that it did not fully mitigate the seriousness of his crimes. .
“His corruption and manipulation of others practically knew no bounds. , was deserving of the longest sentence, which, as we will see later, was highly deserving and at the same time plagued with failures,” the prosecutor wrote.
The defense said it “worked closely with prosecutors and attorneys to strategically plan and make recorded phone calls, attend wired meetings and complete controlled financial transactions.” His collaboration has helped convict more than 50 people and create widespread awareness of the vulnerability of college admissions. It has brought important reforms at great cost to safety and reputation.”
Sentencing is scheduled for January 4, 2023.
