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CNN
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- CNN
Mastermind behind college admissions scam is back in business — but with a court-ordered disclaimer
Fresh out of federal prison, the mastermind behind the college admissions scam known as 'Operation Varsity Blues' is back with a new job: college admissions advising. William 'Rick' Singer was released early from the Bureau of Prisons' custody on March 25 and, according to a recent legal filing, is living in California and working for ID Future Stars, an 'admissions consulting company owned by his sister.' The company's website lists Singer as the 'master coach and lead advisor' and includes a note from him saying he 'made a mistake (and) took full responsibility.' Federal prosecutors had 'concerns' about Singer's return to work in college admissions advising, given his criminal history in a case that also netted actresses Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin, they said in a filing of their own. But Singer's defense attorney argued his work in college admissions advising is 'both lawful and entirely consistent with the conditions of his supervised release,' and asked the court to allow him to continue with his work. 'The purely theoretical risk of recidivism does not warrant a prophylactic field-of-employment restriction here,' attorney Aaron Katz said. After the parties met in federal court last month, District Judge Denise J. Casper ruled Singer may work in college admissions advising – but he must post 'prominently' on the ID Future Stars' website a 270-word disclaimer explaining the charges against him and his guilty plea. 'Mr. Singer served his prison sentence and is currently on supervised release,' part of the disclaimer says. 'The terms of Mr. Singer's supervised release require him to provide this disclosure.' The disclaimer appears on the website's Terms and Conditions page. Singer's plan to return to college admissions advising has raised eyebrows among some of those working in the field. 'That is insane,' Brian Taylor, the managing partner of Ivy Coach, an elite college counseling firm, told CNN. 'This is the equivalent of Bernie Madoff asking to manage your money from prison.' Still, the debate over Singer's post-conviction job reflects broader questions about the 'collateral consequences' of a criminal conviction. In general, people convicted of crimes can face restrictions on government benefits, voting rights, gun rights or professional licensing. About 45,000 'collateral consequences' exist in legal systems across the country, a 2018 report from the American Bar Association found. Tough-on-crime advocates support more collateral consequences to protect the public and punish offenders, while reform advocates push for fewer restrictions to help formerly incarcerated people reintegrate into society. ID Future Stars and Singer's attorney did not respond to requests for comment. For about a decade before his 2019 arrest, Singer owned a college counseling and prep business known as 'The Key' and served as CEO of its affiliated foundation, the Key Worldwide Foundation. Through those organizations, he carried out a scheme to get children of wealthy parents into top universities by facilitating cheating on standardized tests such as the SAT and ACT, falsifying their college applications, and bribing coaches and administrators to accept the children as recruited athletes, even if they didn't play that sport, according to prosecutors. Singer took in more than $25 million from his clients as part of the scheme, paid bribes totaling more than $7 million and used more than $15 million for his own benefit, according to prosecutors. In March 2019, authorities arrested and charged more than 50 people, including coaches, test administrators, prominent CEOs, and the Hollywood stars. With a few exceptions, nearly all of them pleaded guilty and served prison terms generally measured in weeks or months. Singer pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy, conspiracy to defraud the United States and obstruction of justice. He was sentenced in January 2023 to 3 1/2 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, more than $10 million in restitution and forfeiture of more than $8.7 million. 'I lost my ethical values and have so much regret,' Singer said at his sentencing hearing. 'To be frank, I'm ashamed of myself.' He was released to a halfway house in 2024 and from prison in March, according to court filings. The website of ID Future Stars, a college admissions consulting company, boasts '20+ Years of Experience' and '98% Success Rate (Up to).' The site links to several ID Future Stars social media pages with few followers, and the earliest posts on those accounts date to 2024. On its About page, the website names Singer as the 'master coach and lead advisor' and includes a message from him. 'I am not afraid to tell people who I am and that I made a mistake, took full responsibility and want to share my expertise, passion, and desire to help shape our next generation's leaders by helping each find a college and career that is the right choice for each individual,' he writes on the site. He writes that he learned 'to stay away from the gray areas in college admissions and institutional advancement' and says he 'will fiercely seek the proper guidance and support from expert counsel.' 'I want to do college and career life coaching again because–I LOVE IT! And this is my passion,' he writes. 'The energy that I exude when I work with our future leaders and their families is like rocket fuel. Additionally, why not go back to doing something that I am the best at worldwide based on our successes in the past?' In court filings last month, federal prosecutors took issue with Singer's statements, calling them 'misleading and problematic' regarding his role in the 'Varsity Blues' scheme. They asked the court to require Singer to post a fuller explanation of the facts of his case and the charges against him on the website. 'The government cannot stand idly by and allow the fox in the hen house without voicing its concerns to the Court and Probation,' prosecutors said. In response, Singer's attorneys opposed a restriction on his field of employment but said he is 'willing to agree to a reasonable disclosure requirement' about his criminal case to his clients. Casper ultimately ordered Singer to post the 270-word statement on his website and provide it to prospective clients, including a link to the Department of Justice news release announcing his sentence. The extent of Singer's current work is unclear, as the ID Future Stars website does not list the total number of clients. However, a legal filing outlined the basics of his work and said it has expanded into two new fields tangentially related to college admissions. 'Mr. Singer's current employment involves advising students, parents, affinity groups, organizations, and institutions regarding college admissions and campus-related issues, including assessing which campuses provide the best environments for Jewish students and helping smaller schools attract and support 'NIL Collectives,'' the filing states.
New York Post
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
‘Varsity Blues' mastermind Rick Singer can resume coaching college hopefuls — if he discloses celeb admission scandal conviction
The mastermind behind the sweeping 'Varsity Blues' college admissions bribery scandal that ensnared celebs Lori Loughlin and Felicity Huffman can resume coaching college hopefuls, as long as he discloses his bombshell conviction. Massachusetts federal Judge Denise Casper ruled Monday that Rick Singer, 64, can start working again at his company ID Future Stars, which does consulting work for students trying to get into top universities. 3 'Varsity Blues' admission scandal mastermind Rick Singer can continue working as a college coach, as long as he divulges his criminal past, a judge ruled earlier this week. REUTERS Advertisement But Singer must post 'prominently' on his website a lengthy disclaimer about his criminal past and provide prospective clients with a notice containing the same disclosure, the judge ruled. Singer was freed in March 2025 after serving a 42-month sentence for his 2019 guilty plea to charges of racketeering, money laundering and obstruction for taking bribes to help students get accepted to elite colleges by faking their test scores and exaggerating their achievements and credentials on applications. 'In March 2019, Rick Singer pled guilty to federal charges-including racketeering conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy, conspiracy to defraud the United States, and obstruction of justice-for his role in what was widely-publicized as the 'Varsity Blues' college admissions scheme,' the disclaimer begins. Advertisement The statement must also include the fact that Singer took in $25 million in bribes, $7 million of which he paid to his cronies and another $15 million he used 'for his own benefit.' He also must reveal the length of his prison sentence and divulge the fact he had to fork over nearly $20 million in restitution and assets. And he must link to a press release from the federal prosecutor's office that handled his case. Aaron Katz, a lawyer for Singer, said his client doesn't mind the requirement shedding light on his shady past, according to a USA Today report. 3 Actress Lori Loughlin was one of the celebrities who pleaded guilty to allegedly paying bribes to Singer to help her kids get into school. REUTERS Advertisement Singer has 'no problem advising current and future clients of his past actions … he had been doing so even prior to the court's ruling,' Katz told the outlet. As of Wednesday, the ID Future Stars website did not appear to feature the court-ordered statement. But the site does hint at Singer's wrongdoing in a statement by him, saying: 'I am not afraid to tell people who I am and that I made a mistake, took full responsibility and want to share my expertise, passion, and desire to help shape our next generation's leaders.' 3 Actress Felicity Huffman served 11 days behind bars after she admitting to bribing Singer for her kid to get into a good school. REUTERS Advertisement In his scam, Singer collected purported 'donations' from the rich and famous, including 'Desperate Housewives' and 'Full House' actresses Huffman and Loughlin, that went to his disadvantaged youth charity Key Worldwide Foundation. Instead, he used the money for himself and to pay people off who were complicit in the scheme, including those who could help him fake test scores for applicants. Huffman and Loughlin both pleaded guilty for paying into Singer's conspiracy to help their kids get into prestigious schools. Huffman served eleven days of her two-week sentence and Loughlin served two months in a California federal lock-up. The scandal erupted in 2019 following a federal investigation dubbed 'Varsity Blues,' which ultimately saw at least 50 people convicted for their participation in the scheme.
Fox News
15-07-2025
- Fox News
Rick Singer allowed to return to college consulting business after infamous 'Varsity Blues' scandal
Rick Singer, the 64-year-old man at the center of the "Varsity Blues" college admissions scandal was allowed to return to his old job by a federal judge, but must disclose his criminal past to potential clients. Singer's new coaching company ID Future Stars, which is focused on college consulting, says it provides "comprehensive life coaching and college admissions guidance with a hands-on approach that discovers how we can best help your child achieve their dreams," according to its website. Chief District Judge Denise Casper wrote in a Monday order that Singer must provide a specific, lengthy and detailed notice to parents seeking to retain him. "In March 2019, Rick Singer pled guilty to federal charges-including racketeering conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy, conspiracy to defraud the United States, and obstruction of justice-for his role in what was widely-publicized as the 'Varsity Blues' college admissions scheme," the court ordered statement says. "Specifically, Mr. Singer admitted to,among other things: bribing standardized test proctors and administrators to engage in cheating on college entrance exams (i.e., the SAT and ACT); falsifying students' academic transcripts by paying third parties to take classes in their names; falsifying students' college applications with fake awards, athletic activities, and fabricated essays; and bribing college athletic coaches and administrators, through purported donations to their programs and personal bribes, to designate students as athletic recruits based on falsified athletic credentials. As part of the scheme, Mr. Singer took in more than $25 million from his clients, from which he made payments to co-conspirators totaling more than $7 million, and transferred, spent, or otherwise used more than $15 million for his own benefit." The statement ordered by the judge did not end there. "On January 4, 2023, a federal court in Boston sentenced Mr. Singer to 42 months in prison and three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay more than $10 million in restitution and to forfeit assets totaling more than $8.7 million. The U.S. Department of Justices press release announcing Mr. Singers sentence can be found at: Mr. Singer served his prison sentence and is currently on supervised release. The terms of Mr. Singer's supervised release require him to provide this disclosure," it continued. Singer was found guilty in a bribery scheme where he helped celebrities, business people and wealthy clients get their kids into elite schools. He was sentenced to 3 ½ years in prison in 2023. Prosecutors said Singer received over $25 million from clients and paid bribes which amounted to over $7 million. Singer also used over $15 million of money from clients for his own personal advantage, prosecutors also said. "Full House" actor Lori Laughlin, her husband Mossimo Giannulli and "Desperate Housewives" actor Felicity Huffman were also handed prison time for their participation in the scandal. Fox News Digital reached out to Singer for comment.
14-07-2025
'Varsity Blues' cheating scandal mastermind must disclose criminal past to new clients: Judge
Rick Singer, the mastermind behind the nationwide college admissions cheating scandal known as "Varsity Blues," can return to his former job as long as he warns parents about his criminal past, a federal judge in Boston ruled Monday. Federal prosecutors balked at Singer advising prospective undergraduates regarding their college applications after he served time in federal prison for facilitating bribes among wealthy parents, test proctors and elite universities. Singer established a new college consulting service, ID Future Stars, which, according to its website, offers "personalized coaching, expert guidance, and comprehensive support." Chief District Judge Denise Casper said it must now include the following two paragraphs: "In March 2019, Rick Singer pled guilty to federal charges including racketeering conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy, conspiracy to defraud the United States, and obstruction of justice for his role in what was widely-publicized as the 'Varsity Blues' college admissions scheme. Specifically, Mr. Singer admitted to, among other things: bribing standardized test proctors and administrators to engage in cheating on college entrance exams (i.e., the SAT and ACT); falsifying students' academic transcripts by paying third parties to take classes in their names; falsifying students' college applications with fake awards, athletic activities, and fabricated essays; and bribing college athletic coaches and administrators, through purported donations to their programs and personal bribes, to designate students as athletic recruits based on falsified athletic credentials." The court-mandated statement continued: "As part of the scheme, Mr. Singer took in more than $25 million from his clients, from which he made payments to co-conspirators totaling more than $7 million, and transferred, spent, or otherwise used more than $15 million for his own benefit. On January 4, 2023, a federal court in Boston sentenced Mr. Singer to 42 months in prison and three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay more than $10 million in restitution and to forfeit assets totaling more than $8.7 million." Singer is required to post the statement prominently on the ID Futures Stars website and to also provide a written copy to parents, students or other entities seeking to retain him, Casper said. As part of his plea deal, Singer helped federal prosecutors in Boston with their sweeping investigation into bribes paid to athletic coaches, SAT and ACT proctors, and others so students of wealthy parents could cheat their way into some of the country's best-known schools. Actresses Lori Loughlin and Felicity Huffman were among the more than three dozen parents charged. Singer continued to advise prospective undergraduates on their college applications while serving his sentence in federal prison in Florida, and from a California halfway house after his release.
Daily Mail
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Todd Chrisley reveals jailhouse confrontation with star who 'talked smack' about daughter Savannah
Todd Chrisley has revealed he clashed with a very well-known prison inmate who dared to criticize his daughter Savannah's efforts to secure his release. The former jailbird, 56, who alongside wife Julie was granted a presidential pardon by Donald Trump last month, laid into 'Varsity Blues' college admissions scam mastermind Rick Singer in a candid interview on Savannah's Unlocked podcast. The Chrisley Knows Best stars served time for bank fraud and tax evasion - with Todd memorably crossing paths with Singer at Pensacola's Federal Prison Camp. Referring only to Singer as the 'college admissions guy' and a 'snitch', Chrisley fumed: 'He was talking s*** about Savannah, because that's when she had already started, you know, pulling the Barbara Walters and exposing everything in the [Bureau of Prisons]. 'He started talking smack. I said, "I will rip your head off and s*** down your neck if you talk about my child again." And I meant what I said.' In January 2023 Singer was sentenced to three and a half years in prison after pleading guilty in 2019 to racketeering, money laundering and obstruction charges. The court heard he accepted bribes totaling more than $25 million from desperate parents - including celebrities such as Lori Loughlin and Felicity Huffman - who wanted to get their kids into some of the country's best schools. In August 2024 he was released to a halfway house near Los Angeles to serve the rest of his sentence. This comes after Todd and Julie finally reunited and are now sharing the emotional details in a new interview with ABC News Studios, where they reflected on seeing each other for the first time in years. 'I was a little nervous,' Julie, 52, said about her reunion with Todd during the interview. 'Just because, you know, you think, "Oh my gosh, I've been away this long." But then, when I saw him, it was as if no time had passed.' Todd, 56, said that the idea of reuniting felt 'weird,' because he never really considered that he and Julie were 'apart.' 'And you know for me, it's just weird, because she was never away from me,' he explained. 'Even the whole time we were apart. She was with me every second, every breath that I took.' Todd continued: 'I mean, when I saw her, I was grateful to wrap my arms around her, but it was just more like, "I'm home."' Julie added that there was 'laughter and tears' at their reunion, which was filmed. Todd chimed in, 'A lot of that came after the cameras were not on.' And after so much time apart, the first thing Todd and Julie did together was have dinner with their family. Todd said, 'You know, we get to start over,' before saying that sleeping in his own bed again was 'heaven.' Both of them agreed that being able to shower at the leisure, without shower shoes, was thrilling. 'It was almost like your first sexual encounter. That good,' Todd joked. But the most emotional part of coming home was reuniting with their daughter Chloe, 12. 'You know, even though we had gotten to see each other [during visitations], it's not the same as when you're home,' Julie said. 'On our way home, she was literally watching on her phone — she was tracking where we were — to know how close I was. So I think it was just — it was a special moment,' she continued. Todd also recently shared the thoughts running through his mind when he and his wife were sentenced. 'I remember going in and that night, I was so angry with God and that night when the lights went out, I literally cried myself to sleep because it's the first time Julie and I have ever been away from each other since we had been married,' the Chrisley patriarch told Lara Trump. 'I'd never not been in that house when my kids woke up in the morning or when they went to bed at night,' Chrisley recalled. He was sentenced to 12 years - which was later knocked down to 10 - and served time at the Pensacola Federal Prison Camp in Florida, while wife Julie was imprisoned three states away at the Federal Medical Center Lexington in Kentucky. 'And I just said, God, why?' Chrisley continued. 'I've tried to be a loyal and faithful servant.' 'Why are you allowing this to happen? You know these things are not true,' he said. Prosecutors pushed that the Chrisleys had used false documents and exaggerated financial statements to secure more than $30 million in loans, which they used to fund their lavish lifestyle, which was on full display on their reality TV show that went on for 10 seasons. 'And in my dream, God came to me and he said that I have planted you where I need you and when you leave, they will rise,' Chrisley recounted. 'I look back on that dream now and I now understand when he said "when you leave they will rise" because they're rising through President Trump,' the former reality TV star said. 'So I am grateful for that.'
