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Since the indictments were announced in March 2019, 48 of the 57 defendants who have been indicted have pleaded guilty or agreed to do so. Thirty-three of them were parents, including actresses Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin, and Ms. Loughlin’s husband, Mossimo Giannulli, a fashion designer. Their sentences go up to nine months in prison.
A handful of parents are expected to be judged in the New Year.
The linchpin of the operation was William Singer, who introduced himself as a “janitor” admissions consultant for wealthy families. He ran a company called The Key and an associated foundation, which provided a mix of legitimate and fraudulent services, and worked with a network of corrupt coaches and sports administrators.
He has pleaded guilty to racketeering and other charges and is cooperating with the government, although he has yet to be convicted.
Mr Singer, known as Rick, told parents he can get their children through a “side door” only for recruited athletes.
Prosecutors said Mr Singer’s services appealed to parents who wanted guaranteed admission; he usually told them that they did not have to pay the full amount until their children were admitted.
“The parents didn’t invent the plan; it was Rick Singer, ”said Leslie Wright, one of the prosecutors. “But without them it would never have happened.”
The defense argued that Mr. Wilson, a former Gap and Staples executive, and Mr. Abdelaziz, a former Wynn Resorts executive, were the victims of a masterful con artist. Mr Singer had provided years of college coaching services to the two men, gaining their trust, defense attorneys told the jury, and they had no reason to suspect him.
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