Latest news with #OperationVarsityBlues
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
US court reinstates former USC coach's college admissions scandal conviction
By Nate Raymond BOSTON (Reuters) -A U.S. appeals court on Friday reinstated a former University of Southern California water polo coach's bribery conviction arising from his role in the nationwide "Varsity Blues" college admissions scandal. The Boston-based 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that a trial judge wrongly overturned a jury's 2022 verdict finding Jovan Vavic guilty of conspiring to commit federal programs bribery by accepting payments to help wealthy parents' children gain admission to USC as fake athletic recruits. The judge had set Vavic's conviction aside and ordered a new trial after concluding the prosecution during closing arguments misstated what it needed legally to prove its case, which arose out of the investigation dubbed "Operation Varsity Blues." But U.S. Circuit Judge Julie Rikelman, writing for a three-judge panel, said that while part of Vavic's conviction could no longer stand following an appellate ruling in a different "Varsity Blues" case, the prosecution's closing arguments were not contrary to the judge's jury instructions on the law. The ruling opens the door to Vavic being sentenced three years after the jury's verdict. His lawyers did not respond to requests for comment. He was among dozens of people charged in 2019 in the investigation, which exposed how some wealthy parents went to extreme lengths to secure spots for their children at schools like Yale, Georgetown and USC. They did so with the help of William "Rick" Singer, a California college admissions consultant who was sentenced in 2023 to 3-1/2 years in prison after admitting he facilitated college entrance exam cheating and helped bribe coaches to secure his clients' children's admission as phony athletes. More than 50 people, including coaches and parents, pleaded guilty. Prosecutors claimed that in exchange for more than $200,000, Vavic helped mislead USC admissions officials into believing children of Singer's clients belonged on his championship team. While prosecutors said some money that Singer paid went toward Vavic's children's private school tuition, another $100,000 went to a USC account used to fund the water polo team.
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Experts Are Begging Parents To Stop Doing These Things That Turn Kids Into Entitled Monsters
A few days ago, I was watching the Netflix documentary Operation Varsity Blues, which takes a deep dive into the 2019 college admissions scandal, and I was floored, once again, by the entitlement on display at every level — from the parents down to the kids. I patted myself on the back, knowing that my own two angels could never, ever be like that, and that they have no illusions about being handed anything in life. Then I got in a fight with my 2-year-old, who refused to bend down and pick up a granola bar wrapper he'd thrown on the floor because 'I tooo tireeeeed!' And I listened to my kindergartner petition for a toy he'd seen in a store window on his walk home from school that he felt certain should be his, and I quote: 'Because I want it?' Entitlement is a thorny word that encompasses a range of behaviors, from small daily displays of spoiled-ness to parents bribing schools to get their undeserving child into college. Of course, most parents don't set out to raise children who are entitled, but experts say there are some common mistakes moms, dads and other caregivers unintentionally make along the way, which can contribute to children growing up with the sense that something (anything) is owed to them. Here are four to keep in mind. Mistake 1: Not actively teaching them how to cope with not getting their way or losing. First, when it comes to keeping childhood entitlement in check, it's important for parents of younger kids to be realistic, explains Aliza Pressman, co-founder of the Mount Sinai Parenting Center and host of the Raising Good Humans podcast. Children under the age of 4 haven't developed what's known as 'theory of mind,' or the cognitive mechanism that allows us to attribute certain beliefs and feelings to ourselves and to others, she said. So it's perfectly appropriate for them to be caught up in their own feelings and their own perspective, and pretty darn unlikely that they're going to, say, stop whining about not getting to watch another episode of 'Paw Patrol' because they understand in a broader sense how fortunate they are in their lives. 'If your brain isn't cognitively ready to imagine someone else's experience, it's harder to have empathy,' said Pressman. Yet it is important that as kids move from toddler-dom into the school-age years, parents actively teach them that they will not always get their way. Parents also should explain to children that not getting their way may feel bad, which is expected. For example, when your child is shopping for a friend's birthday present and they ask for a toy of their own, don't give in, Pressman urged. Instead, maybe say something like: 'We're going into the store to buy a present for Billy. I know sometimes that can feel hard, and it's hard to focus,' Pressman said. That's it. You're giving them space to grapple with what it feels like to not get their way, and you're showing them that you expect them to get through it. It can be a pretty powerful lesson, particularly when it's repeated often as a natural part of growing up. Mistake 2: Not giving them enough household responsibilities. 'Teaching responsibility is a huge, huge task of parenting,' Pressman said. And it's a great antidote to entitlement, particularly when it comes to helping out around the home. The tasks don't need to be huge, and this is a case where you can start pretty darn young. 'Have them bring their plate to the kitchen. Wipe down the table. You can do that when you're 3,' she said. 'Having age-appropriate chores is not burdensome; it shows that you're a helpful member of the household.' But even if they do complain, carry on. 'I too do not like putting the dishes away!' Pressman said, chuckling. 'Just because you don't want to do it doesn't mean you don't have to.' Alas, estimates suggest that the number of children who regularly do chores is dropping. About 80% of parents had chores growing up, but only 30% make their children do them, according to a poll from Braun Research, a market research firm. Fostering a sense of competence through some really basic responsibilities at home can help boost kids' sense of confidence in a way that they carry with them throughout their lives, Pressman said — and research bears that out. One long-term study found that children who took part in basic household tasks when they were 3 and 4 years old had a higher sense of self-reliance and responsibility when they were adults. Mistake 3: Being fuzzy on what your own boundaries are. Boundaries are really important for raising non-entitled kids, Pressman said, and 'if you notice that you're inconsistent,' that's a red flag. But it's hard to be consistent if you're wishy-washy on what your boundaries actually are. So do a bit of a gut check: What are some of the lines you really want to hold? What boundaries are important to you (and your parenting partner, if you have one)? And how consistent are you really about keeping those boundaries in place? This can be for small daily habits to bigger expectations about how you'd like your child to behave as a citizen of the world. 'Of course if you're exhausted, and you give in, you shouldn't worry: 'This child is going to become an entitled terror,'' Pressman said. 'Think of it in a balanced way — and give yourself a break.' Maybe you stick to your rules or boundaries 75% of the time, and then give yourself permission to cave 25% of the time when you're exhausted and don't want another battle, Pressman said — or again, whatever equation feels right to you. Just spend some time thinking about it, rather than flying on autopilot. Also, consider that strictness can really help keep children's sense of privilege in check, but you can be compassionate and strict at the same time. 'That expression: 'You get what you get and you don't get upset'? That's bullshit!' Pressman said, chuckling. Your child might get upset, and that's expected! Your job as a parent when you're setting boundaries and sticking to them is to help them cope with the feelings of sadness or frustration or anger that might come up so they can do that throughout their lifetime. Mistake 4: Failure to model the behavior you'd like to see. 'Modeling respect is a huge and important component of entitlement stuff,' Pressman said. Kids absolutely watch how their parents and caregivers behave toward others, and they do a major amount of learning that way. 'The first thing you always want to do is look at how you treat other people,' Pressman said. One simple gut check to keep in mind is to simply ask yourself: 'Am I proud of how I'm behaving right now?' she suggested. Again, parents are fallible. We're all going to make mistakes. But our kids are watching, and they're learning how to behave from us. This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
If You Want To Avoid Raising Entitled Kids, Experts Say Not To Do These 4 Things.
A few days ago, I was watching the Netflix documentary Operation Varsity Blues, which takes a deep dive into the 2019 college admissions scandal, and I was floored, once again, by the entitlement on display at every level — from the parents down to the kids. I patted myself on the back, knowing that my own two angels could never, ever be like that, and that they have no illusions about being handed anything in life. Then I got in a fight with my 2-year-old, who refused to bend down and pick up a granola bar wrapper he'd thrown on the floor because 'I tooo tireeeeed!' And I listened to my kindergartner petition for a toy he'd seen in a store window on his walk home from school that he felt certain should be his, and I quote: 'Because I want it?' Entitlement is a thorny word that encompasses a range of behaviors, from small daily displays of spoiled-ness to parents bribing schools to get their undeserving child into college. Of course, most parents don't set out to raise children who are entitled, but experts say there are some common mistakes moms, dads and other caregivers unintentionally make along the way, which can contribute to children growing up with the sense that something (anything) is owed to them. Here are four to keep in mind. Mistake 1: Not actively teaching them how to cope with not getting their way or losing. First, when it comes to keeping childhood entitlement in check, it's important for parents of younger kids to be realistic, explains Aliza Pressman, co-founder of the Mount Sinai Parenting Center and host of the Raising Good Humans podcast. Children under the age of 4 haven't developed what's known as 'theory of mind,' or the cognitive mechanism that allows us to attribute certain beliefs and feelings to ourselves and to others, she said. So it's perfectly appropriate for them to be caught up in their own feelings and their own perspective, and pretty darn unlikely that they're going to, say, stop whining about not getting to watch another episode of 'Paw Patrol' because they understand in a broader sense how fortunate they are in their lives. 'If your brain isn't cognitively ready to imagine someone else's experience, it's harder to have empathy,' said Pressman. Yet it is important that as kids move from toddler-dom into the school-age years, parents actively teach them that they will not always get their way. Parents also should explain to children that not getting their way may feel bad, which is expected. For example, when your child is shopping for a friend's birthday present and they ask for a toy of their own, don't give in, Pressman urged. Instead, maybe say something like: 'We're going into the store to buy a present for Billy. I know sometimes that can feel hard, and it's hard to focus,' Pressman said. That's it. You're giving them space to grapple with what it feels like to not get their way, and you're showing them that you expect them to get through it. It can be a pretty powerful lesson, particularly when it's repeated often as a natural part of growing up. Mistake 2: Not giving them enough household responsibilities. 'Teaching responsibility is a huge, huge task of parenting,' Pressman said. And it's a great antidote to entitlement, particularly when it comes to helping out around the home. The tasks don't need to be huge, and this is a case where you can start pretty darn young. 'Have them bring their plate to the kitchen. Wipe down the table. You can do that when you're 3,' she said. 'Having age-appropriate chores is not burdensome; it shows that you're a helpful member of the household.' But even if they do complain, carry on. 'I too do not like putting the dishes away!' Pressman said, chuckling. 'Just because you don't want to do it doesn't mean you don't have to.' Alas, estimates suggest that the number of children who regularly do chores is dropping. About 80% of parents had chores growing up, but only 30% make their children do them, according to a poll from Braun Research, a market research firm. Fostering a sense of competence through some really basic responsibilities at home can help boost kids' sense of confidence in a way that they carry with them throughout their lives, Pressman said — and research bears that out. One long-term study found that children who took part in basic household tasks when they were 3 and 4 years old had a higher sense of self-reliance and responsibility when they were adults. Mistake 3: Being fuzzy on what your own boundaries are. Boundaries are really important for raising non-entitled kids, Pressman said, and 'if you notice that you're inconsistent,' that's a red flag. But it's hard to be consistent if you're wishy-washy on what your boundaries actually are. So do a bit of a gut check: What are some of the lines you really want to hold? What boundaries are important to you (and your parenting partner, if you have one)? And how consistent are you really about keeping those boundaries in place? This can be for small daily habits to bigger expectations about how you'd like your child to behave as a citizen of the world. 'Of course if you're exhausted, and you give in, you shouldn't worry: 'This child is going to become an entitled terror,'' Pressman said. 'Think of it in a balanced way — and give yourself a break.' Maybe you stick to your rules or boundaries 75% of the time, and then give yourself permission to cave 25% of the time when you're exhausted and don't want another battle, Pressman said — or again, whatever equation feels right to you. Just spend some time thinking about it, rather than flying on autopilot. Also, consider that strictness can really help keep children's sense of privilege in check, but you can be compassionate and strict at the same time. 'That expression: 'You get what you get and you don't get upset'? That's bullshit!' Pressman said, chuckling. Your child might get upset, and that's expected! Your job as a parent when you're setting boundaries and sticking to them is to help them cope with the feelings of sadness or frustration or anger that might come up so they can do that throughout their lifetime. Mistake 4: Failure to model the behavior you'd like to see. 'Modeling respect is a huge and important component of entitlement stuff,' Pressman said. Kids absolutely watch how their parents and caregivers behave toward others, and they do a major amount of learning that way. 'The first thing you always want to do is look at how you treat other people,' Pressman said. One simple gut check to keep in mind is to simply ask yourself: 'Am I proud of how I'm behaving right now?' she suggested. Again, parents are fallible. We're all going to make mistakes. But our kids are watching, and they're learning how to behave from us. This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
Buzz Feed
06-04-2025
- General
- Buzz Feed
If You Want To Avoid Raising Entitled Kids, Experts Say Not To Do These 4 Things.
A few days ago, I was watching the Netflix documentary Operation Varsity Blues, which takes a deep dive into the 2019 college admissions scandal, and I was floored, once again, by the entitlement on display at every level — from the parents down to the kids. I patted myself on the back, knowing that my own two angels could never, ever be like that, and that they have no illusions about being handed anything in life. Then I got in a fight with my 2-year-old, who refused to bend down and pick up a granola bar wrapper he'd thrown on the floor because 'I tooo tireeeeed!' And I listened to my kindergartner petition for a toy he'd seen in a store window on his walk home from school that he felt certain should be his, and I quote: 'Because I want it?' Entitlement is a thorny word that encompasses a range of behaviors, from small daily displays of spoiled-ness to parents bribing schools to get their undeserving child into college. Of course, most parents don't set out to raise children who are entitled, but experts say there are some common mistakes moms, dads and other caregivers unintentionally make along the way, which can contribute to children growing up with the sense that something (anything) is owed to them. Here are four to keep in mind. Mistake 1: Not actively teaching them how to cope with not getting their way or losing. First, when it comes to keeping childhood entitlement in check, it's important for parents of younger kids to be realistic, explains Aliza Pressman, co-founder of the Mount Sinai Parenting Center and host of the Raising Good Humans podcast. Children under the age of 4 haven't developed what's known as 'theory of mind,' or the cognitive mechanism that allows us to attribute certain beliefs and feelings to ourselves and to others, she said. So it's perfectly appropriate for them to be caught up in their own feelings and their own perspective, and pretty darn unlikely that they're going to, say, stop whining about not getting to watch another episode of 'Paw Patrol' because they understand in a broader sense how fortunate they are in their lives. 'If your brain isn't cognitively ready to imagine someone else's experience, it's harder to have empathy,' said Pressman. Yet it is important that as kids move from toddler-dom into the school-age years, parents actively teach them that they will not always get their way. Parents also should explain to children that not getting their way may feel bad, which is expected. For example, when your child is shopping for a friend's birthday present and they ask for a toy of their own, don't give in, Pressman urged. Instead, maybe say something like: 'We're going into the store to buy a present for Billy. I know sometimes that can feel hard, and it's hard to focus,' Pressman said. That's it. You're giving them space to grapple with what it feels like to not get their way, and you're showing them that you expect them to get through it. It can be a pretty powerful lesson, particularly when it's repeated often as a natural part of growing up. Mistake 2: Not giving them enough household responsibilities. 'Teaching responsibility is a huge, huge task of parenting,' Pressman said. And it's a great antidote to entitlement, particularly when it comes to helping out around the home. The tasks don't need to be huge, and this is a case where you can start pretty darn young. 'Have them bring their plate to the kitchen. Wipe down the table. You can do that when you're 3,' she said. 'Having age-appropriate chores is not burdensome; it shows that you're a helpful member of the household.' But even if they do complain, carry on. 'I too do not like putting the dishes away!' Pressman said, chuckling. 'Just because you don't want to do it doesn't mean you don't have to.' Alas, estimates suggest that the number of children who regularly do chores is dropping. About 80% of parents had chores growing up, but only 30% make their children do them, according to a poll from Braun Research, a market research firm. Fostering a sense of competence through some really basic responsibilities at home can help boost kids' sense of confidence in a way that they carry with them throughout their lives, Pressman said — and research bears that out. One long-term study found that children who took part in basic household tasks when they were 3 and 4 years old had a higher sense of self-reliance and responsibility when they were adults. Mistake 3: Being fuzzy on what your own boundaries are. Boundaries are really important for raising non-entitled kids, Pressman said, and 'if you notice that you're inconsistent,' that's a red flag. But it's hard to be consistent if you're wishy-washy on what your boundaries actually are. So do a bit of a gut check: What are some of the lines you really want to hold? What boundaries are important to you (and your parenting partner, if you have one)? And how consistent are you really about keeping those boundaries in place? This can be for small daily habits to bigger expectations about how you'd like your child to behave as a citizen of the world. 'Of course if you're exhausted, and you give in, you shouldn't worry: 'This child is going to become an entitled terror,'' Pressman said. 'Think of it in a balanced way — and give yourself a break.' Maybe you stick to your rules or boundaries 75% of the time, and then give yourself permission to cave 25% of the time when you're exhausted and don't want another battle, Pressman said — or again, whatever equation feels right to you. Just spend some time thinking about it, rather than flying on autopilot. Also, consider that strictness can really help keep children's sense of privilege in check, but you can be compassionate and strict at the same time. 'That expression: 'You get what you get and you don't get upset'? That's bullshit!' Pressman said, chuckling. Your child might get upset, and that's expected! Your job as a parent when you're setting boundaries and sticking to them is to help them cope with the feelings of sadness or frustration or anger that might come up so they can do that throughout their lifetime. Mistake 4: Failure to model the behavior you'd like to see. 'Modeling respect is a huge and important component of entitlement stuff,' Pressman said. Kids absolutely watch how their parents and caregivers behave toward others, and they do a major amount of learning that way. 'The first thing you always want to do is look at how you treat other people,' Pressman said. One simple gut check to keep in mind is to simply ask yourself: 'Am I proud of how I'm behaving right now?' she suggested. Again, parents are fallible. We're all going to make mistakes. But our kids are watching, and they're learning how to behave from us. HuffPost.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Father sues USC, Netflix over Varsity Blues scandal after his conviction was overturned
A Massachusetts father who said he was falsely accused in the 'Varsity Blues' college admissions scandal is suing USC and Netflix over their alleged roles in his conviction which was later overturned. John Wilson, a former executive at Staples and Gap, was one of 33 parents who were charged in the 2019 bribery scandal that involved allegedly helping their children gain admittance to several top universities. In 2021, he was convicted of fraud, conspiracy and bribery before the charges were later dropped in 2023 after judges said the government failed to prove an 'overarching conspiracy' between Wilson and Rick Singer, the college counselor behind the admissions scheme who was sentenced to 3.5 years in prison. Wilson said the case ruined his life and career while claiming the legal fees cost him his life savings. He filed a lawsuit against the University of Southern California for its alleged role in his wrongful conviction. He's also suing Netflix for defamation for what he described as an inaccurate depiction of him and his son in the film, 'Operation Varsity Blues.' He remembers the moment when his world was turned upside down as he arrived in Houston from an international business trip and was surrounded by FBI agents. 'They said, 'You're being arrested with like 50 other people and it's related to cheating on tests and bribing coaches and faking profiles,'' he told KTLA's Mary Beth McDade. 'I said, 'What? I didn't do any of that.'' The case quickly drew national media attention as several high-profile defendants such as actress Lori Loughlin and her husband, fashion designer Mossimo Giannulli, actress Felicity Huffman and more. However, Wilson said he had no reason to bribe anyone or cheat on any tests. He said his son, Johnny, had excellent test scores and was a nationally-ranked water polo player. 'I said, 'We went to USC. My son played on the USC team. We didn't do anything fake,' Wilson said. 'We gave money to the school. We got receipts from the school. We didn't cheat on any tests.' In 2010, Wilson had hired an L.A.-based independent college advisor named Rick Singer to tutor and advise his son on the USC college admissions process. Singer had come highly recommended to Wilson. When Singer recommended Wilson make a $100,000 donation to USC through Singer's charity, he checked with USC's assistant athletic director first. 'He verified that donating through Singer's organization was fine,' Wilson recalled. 'It had been done many times in the past and this was a common practice at USC.' USC later sent Wilson a thank you letter confirming they received the donation to the water polo team. His son went on to play for USC in 2014 as a freshman. But when Wilson was caught up with Singer's other clients, people who actually paid for falsified academic records or tests or made donations in exchange for admission, he said he wouldn't go down without a fight to clear his name. 'We didn't cheat on any tests,' he said. 'We made a donation to the school and got receipts. I was facing 180 years of prison time.' Wilson also alleges USC lied about his donation which prosecutors later claimed was a bribe. Prior to Wilson's trial, Netflix produced a documentary on the case, 'Operation Varsity Blues,' in which Wilson claims he and his children were falsely and negatively portrayed. 'They interspersed me so frequently that everyone assumed I had cheated on tests, that I had bribed coaches and that my children were all unqualified,' he said. 'None of that was true.' Wilson refused a plea deal, intent on proving his innocence and protecting his children's future. He was convicted at his first trial, but continued to fight and was exonerated on appeal with all the core convictions overturned. After Wilson said he spent his life savings on the case, he is suing USC for their alleged role in his wrongful conviction. 'I want USC to tell the truth and I want them to correct the record,' he said. 'I want them to address some of the financial hardships that they cost us.' For the Netflix documentary Wilson, filed a defamation lawsuit against the entertainment company. 'They smeared me and my son through innuendo and it was devastating because the broad reach that Netflix had was amazing,' he said. 'For Netflix, we're in the discovery phase,' said William Tanenbaum, Wilson's attorney. 'They filed a motion to dismiss. We were successful in opposing the motion to dismiss.' Wilson said he wants those who have harmed his family to be held accountable and he will continue to fight to clear his family's name. 'This has been the most devastating thing I've ever experienced in my life,' He said. 'You can't imagine what it's like seeing your children affected this way, your hard-working innocent children.' USC claims the lawsuit has no merit and university officials said they've made significant changes in their athletics admissions process since the case. Netflix did not provide a comment on the case. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
