Latest news with #Singer
New York Post
37 minutes ago
- 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.
USA Today
15 hours ago
- USA Today
Rick Singer, 'Varsity Blues' mastermind, can consult college hopefuls again, judge rules
After serving time in prison, a judge says William 'Rick' Singer can consult college hopefuls again as long as he makes his past known to clients. William "Rick" Singer, the silver-haired ringleader of a nationwide college admissions scandal that landed kids from affluent families into elite schools, can open a new counseling business if he discloses his criminal past to clients, according to court documents unsealed July 15. Singer was sentenced to prison in connection with the "Operation Varsity Blues" scandal in 2023 on charges involving racketeering, money laundering, and fraud. Judge Denise J. Casper of the U.S. District Court in Massachusetts ruled that Singer can be in the business of college admissions again on the condition that he shares a statement detailing his crimes. "Mr. Singer admitted to, among other things: bribing standardized test proctors and administrators to engage in cheating on college entrance exams,' the statement reads in part. "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 judge's ruling allows Singer to operate ID Future Stars, a college admissions and life coaching service that boasts on its website that Singer's team has "guided thousands of students and special talent candidates." Casper issued the ruling on July 14, which requires Singer to provide a copy of the statement detailing his crimes to clients and display it prominently on the company website. The company's homepage did not appear to feature the statement as of July 15. 'No problem,' Singer's attorney says The ruling comes after Singer cooperated with federal prosecutors to expose wealthy families involved in the admissions scheme and after serving time in prison. Singer's attorney, Aaron Katz, said in a statement that his client has "no problem advising current and future clients of his past actions," adding that "he had been doing so even prior to the court's ruling." The company's website has long included a mea culpa from Singer. "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," the statement reads. "We will continue to utilize our deep relationships with the respected decision-makers at colleges and universities but will not stray from staying and living in good standing." Court records show Singer's lawyers proposed a less detailed version of the statement that Casper ultimately ruled he has to share. Singer's lawyers in court filings called the government's statement a "'shaming penalty' designed to embarrass Mr. Singer and deter others from associating with him or ID Future Stars." 'Varsity Blues' scandal: Prosecutor scoffs at Rick Singer's new college counseling service What will Singer have to tell clients? Singer pleaded guilty in 2019 in connection with the scheme and admitted to bribing SAT and ACT proctors, and adding fake awards, extracurriculars, and essays to students' college applications. He also bribed college athletic coaches and administrators through program donations to designate applicants as athletic recruits based on fabricated athletic achievements. The ruling requires Singer to display a detailed statement explaining what he did wrong on his company website and to share a written copy of the statement with parents, students, and other clients. He also has to say how much he made off the scheme — Singer made at least $15 million, according to the statement. A federal judge in Boston sentenced Singer in 2023 to 42 months in prison, ordered him to pay over $10 million in restitution and forfeit $8.7 million in assets, the statement says. Fake disabilities, photoshopped faces: How feds say celebrities, coaches and scammers got kids into elite colleges What did the Varsity Blues mean for colleges? Singer's nationwide scheme rocked the world of higher education. The case ultimately led to dozens of guilty pleas, including from Hollywood stars Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin, who separately hired Singer to help their children. Schools the Justice Department implicated included Yale, Stanford, the University of Southern California, Wake Forest, and Georgetown. Over 50 people – including wealthy CEOs and high-profile celebrities – were indicted in Varsity Blues, the largest college admissions case ever brought by the Justice Department. Some students in the scam pretended to have disabilities while others photoshopped faces onto different students' bodies. And one Florida man received a four-month prison sentence for accepting nearly $240,000 in payments to cheat on the ACT and SAT exams. Despite revelations of the scandal, the same manic worrying by some parents over how to get their kids into certain schools continues. And the number of applications to the richest and most selective universities keeps rising. "He has found, in some ways, the perfect industry for a person who wants a second chance," Jeff Selingo, a bestselling author of books on college admissions, told USA TODAY in 2024 after Singer launched the new admissions venture. "There are no regulations, there's no licensing and the anxiety of parents is higher than it's ever been." Contributing: Zachary Schermele and Chris Quintana, USA TODAY
NBC News
a day ago
- NBC News
'Varsity Blues' admissions scheme mastermind can advise college hopefuls again, judge rules
William "Rick" Singer, the mastermind of a nationwide college admissions cheating scheme, can work as a college consultant again so long as he discloses his criminal record to new clients, a federal judge ruled on Monday. Singer, 62, pleaded guilty in 2019 to racketeering conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy and other charges in connection with the scandal, dubbed Operation Varsity Blues. He was sentenced to 3½ years in prison in 2023, but released to a halfway house in Los Angeles last year. Upon his release from prison, Singer launched a new company, ID Future Stars, to advise prospective undergraduates on their college applications. Chief District Judge Denise Casper ruled that Singer can continue his work as a college consultant so long the following statement is "prominently" on his company's website: '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 statement reads. "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," it continues. "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." it concludes. Casper added that the written copies of the statement must be provided to parents, students or other entities seeking to retain Singer. As of Tuesday morning, the statement appeared to be absent from the site. ID Future Stars did not immediately return a request for comment. The company's website says that ID Future Stars caters to thousands of applicants across the United States and abroad and promises "a 80-96% acceptance rate for first-choice schools and over 90% within the list of their top 3 choices." "Impressively, 100% of our clients come from direct referrals, reflecting our reputation and the trust families place in us," the company's website reads. "Our expertise lies in navigating the complexities of the college admissions process." More than 50 people, including parents and university coaches, were convicted in the case. The scandal drew particular attention for ensnaring Hollywood actors Lori Loughlin and Felicity Huffman, who hired Singer to help secure their daughters into elite universities. Both actors served short stints in prison for their involvement in the case.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Taylor Swift Explains the Real Pain Behind One of Her Greatest Hits in Resurfaced Footage
Taylor Swift Explains the Real Pain Behind One of Her Greatest Hits in Resurfaced Footage originally appeared on Parade. Taylor Swift may have risen to fame writing songs about romance gone wrong, but the 'Cruel Summer' singer also dives deep into the nuances—and heartbreak—of friendship in many of her songs. In a recently resurfaced conversation with producer and frequent collaborator Jack Antonoff, the 35-year-old, 14-time Grammy Award winner gives new insight into the pain behind one of her most thoughtful tracks, 'My Tears Ricochet,' from her 2020 masterpiece the video, Swift can be seen wearing her Folklore-era attire, complete with an oversized patterned coat and jewel-toned newsboy cap that hides her signature blonde locks. Sitting outside, Swift explains how the emotional song came to be. 'I wrote that one alone,' Swift shares. 'It's one of the saddest songs on the album.' Antonoff compliments Swift, calling it one of the best on Folklore. Swift responds with deeper insight into her writing process and the inspiration behind the song: 'It's a song about greed. It's a song about how somebody could be your best friend and your companion and your most trusted person in your life, and then they could go and become your worst enemy who knows how to hurt you because they were once your most trusted person.' Swift compares the end of a friendship to a divorce before likening it to superhero stories. 'Writing this song, it kind of occurred to me that in all of the superhero stories, the hero's greatest nemesis is the villain that used to be his best friend… There's this beautiful moment in the beginning of a friendship where these people have no idea that one day they'll hate each other.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Songs by Taylor Swift (@songsbytaylor)While some fans speculated whether Swift was referencing a specific friendship breakup, others were simply happy to join the conversation in the social media comment section—one encapsulating the mood with, 'Love this woman.' 🎬SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox🎬 Taylor Swift Explains the Real Pain Behind One of Her Greatest Hits in Resurfaced Footage first appeared on Parade on Jul 14, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 14, 2025, where it first appeared.
2 days ago
'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.
