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FBI accuses wealthy parents in college-entrance bribery scheme

washingtonpost.com

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Re: FBI accuses wealthy parents in college-entrance bribery scheme

#251

Post by bonestamp2 »

austincheney wrote: post #234
Balgair wrote: post #171

Oh dear God. Reading into the indictments, it seems that a lot of the kids never had a clue that they were complicit in the schemes: >... and it was like, the kids though, and it was funny 'cause the kids will call me and say, "Maybe I should do that again. I did pretty well and if I took it again, I'll do better even" Right? And they just have no idea that they didn't even get the score that they thought they got. C…

No empathy. The entire system is pay to play for the social connections. If they were actually interested in education the scenario would have been completely different. I saw similar fabrications growing up as I attended one of the wealthiest high schools in the country. The top 10 of my graduating class got complete scholarships the most expensive schools in the country and the parents were willing to do anything t…

> If they were actually interested in education the scenario would have been completely different.

Seriously, I was staying at the Trump hotel in Chicago (before Trump ran for president -- before I ever gave much thought about Donald Trump). Anyway, there was a looping video on the TV and she was inviting guests to stay at any one of their other Trump hotels around "North America and Canada." It was at that moment I realized that she thought North America was some kind of Northern area of America. I no longer wonder how she got into Wharton.

Re: FBI accuses wealthy parents in college-entrance bribery scheme

#252

Post by kkarakk »

Balgair wrote: post #175
lainga wrote: post #173

Earlier quoted context omitted.

And what if you find this out, but worked your ass off and got straight As during your degree? Were your parents giving you unknown help then, too? Can you ask them? Where does it end?

Like, they tried so hard on your behalf. They spent so much money on you. They really did it out of the goodness of their hearts and in love of their child, in their own twisted way. And now? I mean, it all blew up in their faces. All their best intentions made everything just so much more horrible for their children. They'll never wash this off. My lord, not even Aristophanes himself could write a tragedy on this sc…

no one is going to care in a month, these people are super rich. i doubt anything more than fines and a slap on the wrist

Re: FBI accuses wealthy parents in college-entrance bribery scheme

#253

Post by throes_death »

Scoundreller wrote: post #218
lysp wrote: post #196

Earlier quoted context omitted.

One of them was struggling and needed help to actually fill out the application form. Someone ended up doing it for her. If you're not smart enough to fill out a form - imagine how you'll go during study.

Or if you end up with them as an assigned lab partner or group project member.

Or if you end up with them as your brain surgeon.

Re: FBI accuses wealthy parents in college-entrance bribery scheme

#254

Post by kkarakk »

chmaynard wrote: post #181
reallydude wrote: post #128

A friend of mine, from high school (~1994), had the experience of being in a family that won the state lottery. He skipped high school a lot after that, driving around in his new car. Later, I heard his parents bought him a degree from USC. USC has had a reputation in California of corruption for decades. This story should not be a surprise for many.

You should contact the FBI and report this as hearsay. It might be useful in the ongoing investigation.

why is this downvoted? actually relevant comment

Re: FBI accuses wealthy parents in college-entrance bribery scheme

#255

Post by kkarakk »

mark212 wrote: post #137
wyldfire wrote: post #67

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Apparently there are no more drug cartels to go after? We’re now worried about a has-been actress who paid $15,000 so her kid could cheat on the SAT? This is a false dichotomy.

So you live in a world where the FBI has unlimited resources to prosecute all crimes? Sounds fabulous, what’s that like?

well they found this out while they were pursuing another case so actually they're a real value for money service

Re: FBI accuses wealthy parents in college-entrance bribery scheme

#256

Post by kkarakk »

mark212 wrote: post #136
nkrisc wrote: post #107

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Are you suggesting law enforcement for anything less than the most serious crimes should cease for as long as the more serious crimes continue?

I’m suggesting that in a world of finite resources, one should prioritize the most serious over the picayune

i'm sure to the people who didn't get into their dream college this is the most serious case in their life

Re: FBI accuses wealthy parents in college-entrance bribery scheme

#257

Post by waterhouse »

The caption to the video currently says this:

"Authorities charged more than people, like actresses Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin, March 12 with being part of a long-running college admittance scam. (Allie Caren, Justin Scuiletti/The Washington Post)"

It seems to be saying that actresses Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin are more than people.

One of the HN comments quotes "The Justice Department on Tuesday charged more than 30 wealthy people — including two television stars". The article currently begins with "The Justice Department on Tuesday charged 50 people — including two television stars". I suppose it must have been edited—and, based on the caption I see, there must be less scrutiny that goes into edits than into the original.

Re: FBI accuses wealthy parents in college-entrance bribery scheme

#258

Post by apkessl1 »

scrumper wrote: post #96
whatok wrote: post #46

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/investigations-college-admis... Has a list of people and indictments/etc that have been filed so far.

The parents are facing serious federal charges there. Conspiracy to commit mail fraud is what, up to 5yrs prison and a $250k fine? I feel for them - it's the type of crime I can easily imagine myself committing* - but good that this has been put to a stop. *while also believing that, given the opportunity, I would choose to play it fair.

Statutory limit is actually 20 years, under 18 U.S.C. § 1341 https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/1341

In practice, most of the defendants would be likely to get under 5 years assuming this is their first offense, don’t commit further crimes, etc.

Re: FBI accuses wealthy parents in college-entrance bribery scheme

#259

Post by oh_sigh »

Balgair wrote: post #171

Oh dear God. Reading into the indictments, it seems that a lot of the kids never had a clue that they were complicit in the schemes: >... and it was like, the kids though, and it was funny 'cause the kids will call me and say, "Maybe I should do that again. I did pretty well and if I took it again, I'll do better even" Right? And they just have no idea that they didn't even get the score that they thought they got. C…

Wouldn't some of the kids had to have been on it? They posed for picture of sports they didn't even play, and must have referenced it on their application

Re: FBI accuses wealthy parents in college-entrance bribery scheme

#260

Post by labster »

techslave wrote: post #228
petty_griper wrote: post #169

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is bizarrely instrumental reason. Few of my classmates are now captains of industry or even in my career field, but I have extremely fond memories of my college experience because it was a nurturing, supportive environment where I had a close-knit community of friends, access to a lot of different resources to pursue my interests and the freedom to experiment and explore how I wanted to live life, all relatively…

bizarrely? the point of college is social connection, growing up. the book learning you can buy the text (nowadays read similar work online)

I see you got some downvotes, but no really this is true. Diversity is a frequent selling point, and you get a chance to meet people from around the world at university. Clubs, sports, frats, job networking, are all socially driven. Some people need the social feedback to drive their studies; we're social animals so there's really no shame in that.

Sometimes though, we need instruments to do science, so that's another major purpose for undergrad work. Occasionally. But if the undergrads decided to all take online courses one day, it would sure help the grad get work done.

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