On March 12, 2019, the FBI indicted 50 people in what is becoming known as the biggest college admissions scandal to sweep the nation. From 2011 until 2019, wealthy parents paid up to $6.5 million to a college prep organization ran by Wiliam Rick Singer to have their children admitted into some of the most prestigious universities in the country. The universities include Wake Forest, Yale, Stanford, University of Southern California, University of Texas, Harvard and more.
Among those arrested on Tuesday was famous Hollywood actress Lori Loughlin best known for her role as Aunt Becky in the 90’s sitcom Full House and Netflix original re-boot Fuller House. Desperate Housewives alum Felicity Huffman has also been claimed as the face of the scandal. Huffman was released on a $250,000 bond Tuesday afternoon. Loughlin was taken into custody and subsequently released on Wednesday on a $1 million
It is alleged Lori Loughlin and fashion designer Mossimo Giannuli paid up to $500,000 for both daughters to be listed as women’s crew recruits to USC after not having prior experience. The couple’s youngest daughter Olivia Jade is rising social media influencer and YouTube sensation who has multiple high-profile brand deals with companies like Amazon, Boohoo, Smashbox Cosmetics, Marc Jacobs Beauty, Smile Direct Club, TooFaced Cosmetics, and Princess Polly; who she created an entire clothing line with, Sephora Collection; who she created a makeup palette with, and her most recent deal included one with TRESemmé which sent her to New York for fashion week.
As of March 14, Hallmark has dropped Laughlin and Sephora had dropped Olivia Jade. For a full list of everyone who has been charged, check out this article from the New York Times here.
What this means:
This scandal has brought to light that college admission is becoming more and more about how much money you have, and not whether or not you are a qualified student who can add something to the campus community.
This blog post was written by Gabrielle Arias, Director of Community Service.
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