Supreme Court more diverse than lawyers who argue before it
November 4, 2022 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court looks more like America than it ever has. The lawyers who argue at the nation's highest court? Not so much.
Affirmative action under threat as high court hears UNC case
October 29, 2022 GMTCHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — Once a bastion of segregation, the University of North Carolina now takes account of race to make up for its sordid history and to increase the number of Black students and other underrepresented minorities on campus.
ACT test scores drop to lowest in 30 years in pandemic slide
October 12, 2022 GMTPHOENIX (AP) — Scores on the ACT college admissions test by this year's high school graduates hit their lowest point in more than 30 years — the latest evidence of the enormity of learning disruption during the pandemic.
Supreme Court’s top cases for new term, new Justice Jackson
October 1, 2022 GMTThe Supreme Court opens its new term Monday, hearing arguments for the first time after a summer break and with new Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. Already the court has said it will decide cases on a range of major issues including affirmative action, voting rights and the rights of LGBTQ people.
Ex-USC water polo coach gets new admissions scam trial
September 16, 2022 GMTBOSTON (AP) — A federal judge on Thursday ordered a new trial for a former decorated University of Southern California water polo coach convicted in the sprawling college admissions bribery scandal.
Dad gets home detention for bribing Georgetown coach
August 11, 2022 GMTBOSTON (AP) — A Pennsylvania man who pleaded guilty to bribing a Georgetown University tennis coach to get his daughter into the school was sentenced Thursday to about a month in home detention.
Robert Repella, a former pharmaceutical executive, agreed to pay then-Georgetown tennis coach Gordon Ernst at least $120,000 to have his daughter designated as a tennis recruit for the Washington D.C.
Ex-school director gets home detention in college scam
August 9, 2022 GMTBOSTON (AP) — A former director of private California school was sentenced Tuesday to three months of home confinement for his role in the sprawling college admissions bribery scheme.
Supreme Court move allows Jackson to take part in race case
July 22, 2022 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Friday took a step that will allow new Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman on the court, to take part in a case that could lead to the end of the use of race in college admissions.
Ex-Georgetown coach gets 2 1/2 years in bribery scandal
July 1, 2022 GMTA former Georgetown University tennis coach who once coached former President Barack Obama's family was sentenced Friday to 2 1/2 years in prison for pocketing more than $3 million in bribes in exchange for helping wealthy parents cheat their kids' way into the school.
6 months’ home confinement for ex-USC coach in college scam
June 29, 2022 GMTBOSTON (AP) — A former University of Southern California soccer coach who took bribes in exchange for helping unqualified kids into the school was sentenced Wednesday to six months in home confinement after cooperating with authorities investigating the college admissions scandal.
Ex-USC coach, couple avoid prison time in college scandal
June 28, 2022 GMTBOSTON (AP) — A former assistant soccer coach at the University of Southern California who created fake athletic profiles for the children of wealthy parents in the sprawling college admissions bribery scheme avoided prison time Tuesday after helping convict others in the case.
Maurice took an unusual path to becoming Florida’s coach
June 23, 2022 GMTSUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — Paul Maurice’s journey toward becoming the new coach of the Florida Panthers included a fortuitous flick of the remote control, plus was aided by a college admissions department.
Georgetown dad acquitted in final college bribery scam trial
June 16, 2022 GMTBOSTON (AP) — A father was acquitted Thursday of charges that he paid off a Georgetown University tennis coach to get his daughter into the school in the final trial linked to the explosive college admissions bribery scandal.
Final case tied to college bribery scandal heads to trial
June 6, 2022 GMTBOSTON (AP) — A father accused of bribing a Georgetown University tennis coach to help get his daughter into the school is set to face jurors in the final case linked to the sprawling college admissions bribery scandal to go to trial.
Parents convicted in college scam remain free during appeal
May 19, 2022 GMTBOSTON (AP) — Two men convicted of buying their kids’ way into top universities will stay out of prison while they appeal their cases in the college admissions bribery scheme, a Boston judge ordered Thursday.
Accountant avoids prison time in college admissions scandal
May 14, 2022 GMTBOSTON (AP) — An accountant who worked for the consultant at the center of the college admissions bribery case has avoided prison for his role in the sweeping scheme.
Parent in college bribery scandal gets 9 weeks in prison
April 20, 2022 GMTBOSTON (AP) — A parent caught up in Operation Varsity Blues — the nationwide college admissions bribery scandal — was sentenced Wednesday to nine weeks in prison, one year of supervised release and 100 hours of community service.
Parents get 8 weeks in prison for college bribery scandal
April 14, 2022 GMTBOSTON (AP) — A California couple was sentenced to eight weeks in prison on Thursday after pleading guilty to paying $25,000 to cheat on their son’s college admissions test.
Dr. Gregory Colburn, 63, and Amy Colburn, 52, of Palo Alto, were the 16th and 17th parents to be sentenced in the sprawling bribery scandal.
Test taker gets prison; coach convicted in admissions scam
April 8, 2022 GMTBOSTON (AP) — A former Florida prep school administrator was sentenced to federal prison and a decorated water polo coach at the University of Southern California was swiftly convicted by a jury in a busy Friday in Boston federal court in the long running college admissions bribery scandal.
Jackson will join more diverse and conservative high court
April 8, 2022 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson will join a Supreme Court that is both more diverse than ever and more conservative than it's been since the 1930s.
High court nominee says she’d skip Harvard race case
March 24, 2022 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson said Wednesday that if confirmed to the Supreme Court she'd sit out an affirmative action lawsuit over Harvard's admission policies because she is a member of the school's board.
Parent convicted in college bribery case asks to remain free
March 18, 2022 GMTBOSTON (AP) — The head of a private equity firm and former Staples Inc. executive convicted of bribery and fraud charges for trying to pay more than $1.2 million to buy his three children's way into elite universities asked the court Friday to allow him to remain free pending his appeal.
Trial opens for ex-USC coach in college bribery scandal
March 11, 2022 GMTBOSTON (AP) — A decorated former water polo coach at the University of Southern California accepted thousands of dollars in bribes to fake athletic credentials and designate college applicants as water polo recruits so they could gain admission into the elite Los Angeles school, prosecutors argued as the latest trial in the sprawling college admissions bribery scandal opened Thursday in Boston federal court.
Smith College president announces plans to step down in 2023
February 25, 2022 GMTNORTHAMPTON, Mass. (AP) — Smith College President Kathleen McCartney said Friday she plans to step down in June 2023 after 10 years at the helm, becoming the latest leader of a high-profile Massachusetts college to announce plans to leave their position.
Parent in college bribery scandal gets 15 months in prison
February 16, 2022 GMTBOSTON (AP) — A former Staples Inc. executive convicted of trying to bribe his three children’s way into elite universities was sentenced to serve 15 months in federal prison on Wednesday, the longest sentence so far handed down in the sprawling college admissions bribery scandal.
Parent in college bribery scandal gets year in prison
February 9, 2022 GMTBOSTON (AP) — A former casino executive who was one of just two parents to go to trial in the sprawling college admissions bribery scandal was sentenced Wednesday to serve one year and one day in federal prison, the stiffest sentence so far handed down in the case, federal prosecutors said.
Indiana House speaker leaving College Board executive job
February 8, 2022 GMTINDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Republican leader of the Indiana House has resigned his executive position with the organization that runs the SAT college admissions test, saying he wants to focus on his legislative duties.
High court conservatives target O’Connor, Kennedy opinions
February 3, 2022 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — For years, the Supreme Court moved to the left or right only as far as Justices Sandra Day O'Connor and Anthony Kennedy allowed.
They held pivotal votes on a court closely divided between liberals and conservatives.
IU Expert on Consideration of Race in College Admissions
January 28, 2022 GMTSAT going digital in shifting college admissions landscape
January 25, 2022 GMTThe SAT exam will move from paper and pencil to a digital format, administrators announced Tuesday, saying the shift will boost its relevancy as more colleges make standardized tests optional for admission.
EXPLAINER: Supreme Court takes up race in college admissions
January 25, 2022 GMTCAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) — The Supreme Court has agreed to review a challenge to the consideration of race in college admission decisions, often known as affirmative action. With three new conservative justices on the court since its last review, the practice may be facing its greatest threat yet.
Justices to hear challenge to race in college admissions
January 25, 2022 GMTThe conservative-dominated Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear a challenge to the consideration of race in college admissions, adding affirmative action to major cases on abortion, guns, religion and COVID-19 already on the agenda.
Transcript gaps? Strong college application remains possible
January 12, 2022 GMTApplying to college typically comes with some uncertainty, but this year’s applicants are tackling one additional question: What should you do when a pandemic has limited what goes into your college applications?
Facing trial, California couple plead guilty in college scam
January 5, 2022 GMTBOSTON (AP) — A California couple accused of paying $25,000 to cheat on their son's college admissions test abruptly agreed to plead guilty on Wednesday, six weeks before they were set to go on trial in federal court.
Varsity Truce: Last parent in college bribery scandal pleads
December 10, 2021 GMTBOSTON (AP) — The last parent ensnared in Operation Varsity Blues — the captivating nationwide college admissions bribery scandal — has agreed to plead guilty, federal prosecutors said.
Authorities said I-Hsin “Joey" Chen, 67, of Newport Beach, California, paid $75,000 to have someone correct his son's answers on a college entrance exam.
Ex-media CEO sentenced to prison in college admissions scam
December 9, 2021 GMTBOSTON (AP) — The former chief executive of a media company who authorities say paid more than $500,000 to get her two children into elite universities as bogus athletic recruits was sentenced to six weeks' imprisonment Thursday.
3rd worker at federal prison charged with sexual misconduct
December 3, 2021 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — A federal correctional officer at a women’s prison in California was charged Friday with sexually abusing an inmate, just months after the prison’s warden was arrested for similar conduct.
California parent gets 6 weeks prison in admissions scandal
November 10, 2021 GMTBOSTON (AP) — A California parent was sentenced Wednesday to six weeks in prison and 250 hours of community service in connection with the sweeping college admissions scandal.
Homayoun Zadeh, 60, of Calabasas, was also ordered to pay more than $8,000 in restitution and a $20,000 fine in Boston federal court.
Former USC official pleads guilty in college bribery scheme
November 5, 2021 GMTBOSTON (AP) — A former athletics official at the University of Southern California pleaded guilty Friday to her role in the college admissions bribery scandal, legal filings show.
Donna Heinel, the school's former senior associate athletic director, pleaded in U.S.
Ex-tennis coach pleads guilty in college admissions case
October 25, 2021 GMTBOSTON (AP) — A former Georgetown University tennis coach pleaded guilty Monday in Boston federal court in the college admissions bribery case.
Gordon Ernst was accused of accepting more than $2 million to help the children of wealthy parents get into the school in Washington.
UNC may keep affirmative action in admissions, judge says
October 19, 2021 GMTRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A federal judge has ruled that North Carolina’s flagship public university can continue to consider race as a factor in its undergraduate admissions, rebuffing a conservative group's argument that affirmative action disadvantages white and Asian students.
$50K fine, no prosecution for ex-coach in college scam deal
October 12, 2021 GMTBOSTON (AP) — Federal prosecutors have promised to drop their case against a former Wake Forest University coach charged in the college admissions bribery scandal if he pays a $50,000 fine and follows certain conditions, according to court documents unsealed Tuesday.
2 parents convicted in 1st trial of college bribery scandal
October 8, 2021 GMTBOSTON (AP) — Two wealthy parents were convicted Friday of buying their kids' way into school as athletic recruits in the first case to go to trial in the college admissions cheating scandal that embroiled prestigious universities across the country.
1st trial in college admissions bribe scheme to head to jury
October 6, 2021 GMTBOSTON (AP) — Two wealthy parents who are the first to stand trial in the college admissions bribery scandal used lies and money to steal coveted spots at prestigious schools their kids couldn't secure on their own, a prosecutor said Wednesday before jurors decide if the men are guilty.
Ex-USC soccer coach tells of faking athletic credentials
September 27, 2021 GMTBOSTON (AP) — A former assistant women's soccer coach at the University of Southern California testified Monday during the first trial in the nationwide college admissions bribery scandal that she regularly created fake athletic profiles with exaggerated accomplishments coupled with images she found on Google to help get unqualified students admitted.
Classmate in college bribery trial: Recruit’s profile bogus
September 18, 2021 GMTBOSTON (AP) — One of the students prosecutors say was admitted to the University of Southern California with bogus athletic credentials as part of the college admissions bribery scheme didn’t even make her high school’s varsity basketball team, a former classmate testified at trial.
Ex-Georgetown tennis coach to plead guilty in college scam
September 15, 2021 GMTBOSTON (AP) — A former Georgetown University tennis coach accused of accepting more than $2 million in bribes to help kids get into the school will plead guilty in the sweeping college admissions scandal, according to court documents filed Wednesday.
1st trial in college admissions scandal gets underway
September 13, 2021 GMTBOSTON (AP) — The first trial in the college admissions bribery scandal opened Monday with defense attorneys seeking to portray the two parents accused of buying their kids' way into school as victims of a con man who believed their payments were legitimate donations.
‘Varsity Blues’ trial promises fresh insights in old scandal
September 8, 2021 GMTBOSTON (AP) — The first trial in the “Operation Varsity Blues” college admissions bribery scandal will begin this week, with the potential to shed light on investigators' tactics and brighten the spotlight on a secretive school selection process many have long complained is rigged to favor the rich.
Liquor distribution exec to plead guilty in college scam
August 24, 2021 GMTBOSTON (AP) — The chief executive officer of a California liquor distribution company has agreed to plead guilty in the college admissions bribery scheme less than a month before she was scheduled to face trial, according to court records filed Tuesday.
Parent agrees to plead guilty in admissions bribery scandal
August 12, 2021 GMTBOSTON (AP) — The former chief executive of a media company who authorities say paid more than $500,000 to get her two children into elite universities as athletic recruits has agreed to change her plea to guilty, federal prosecutors in Boston announced Thursday.
USC professor admits to tax charge in admissions scandal
July 9, 2021 GMTBOSTON (AP) — An associate professor of dentistry at the University of Southern California pleaded guilty on Friday to a tax charge in connection with the sweeping college admissions scandal.
Homayoun Zadeh, 59, pleaded guilty via videoconference before a Boston federal court judge to one count of filing a false tax return.
USC professor to plead to tax charge in admissions case
July 2, 2021 GMTBOSTON (AP) — An associate professor of dentistry at the University of Southern California who authorities say agreed to pay $100,000 to help his daughter get into the school will plead guilty to a tax charge in the college admissions case, prosecutors said.
Justices defer Harvard case on race in college admissions
June 14, 2021 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — With abortion and guns already on the agenda, the conservative-dominated Supreme Court is considering adding a third blockbuster issue — whether to ban consideration of race in college admissions.
Justices consider Harvard case on race in college admissions
June 13, 2021 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — With abortion and guns already on the agenda, the conservative-dominated Supreme Court is considering adding a third blockbuster issue — whether to ban consideration of race in college admissions.
2 months in prison for dad who paid $40K in ACT cheat scheme
May 27, 2021 GMTBOSTON (AP) — The founder of a private equity firm who paid $40,000 to have someone secretly correct his daughter's ACT exam answers was sentenced Thursday to two months in prison for his role in the college admissions bribery scheme.
Courtroom sketch artist in several notorious cases dies
May 20, 2021 GMTBOSTON (AP) — A courtroom sketch artist who drew pictures of defendants in some of the most notorious cases tried in federal court in Boston, and whose work was used by news outlets worldwide, has died, according to her family.
Designer Mossimo Giannulli released from California prison
April 3, 2021 GMTLOS ANGELES (AP) — Fashion designer Mossimo Giannulli has been released from a California prison and is under home confinement following his imprisonment for his role in a college admissions bribery scheme, according to a person familiar with the matter.
College Admissions Bribery
March 19, 2021 GMT‘Operation Varsity Blues’ reenacts and reorients a scandal
March 17, 2021 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Chris Smith didn’t initially think the 2019 college bribery scandal made for a good documentary subject. He was editing “Fyre,” the hit Netflix documentary about the music-festival fiasco, when his longtime collaborator, Jon Karmen, suggested another real tale of fraud and spectacle be their next film.
Pair accused in visa fraud, college admissions scheme
March 9, 2021 GMTLOS ANGELES (AP) — The second of two defendants accused of using bogus transcripts and ghostwritten essays to help foreigners gain admission to U.S. colleges, allowing the applicants to fraudulently obtain student visas, has surrendered to federal authorities, prosecutors said.
Group asks justices to ban use of race in college admissions
February 25, 2021 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — A group claiming Harvard discriminates against Asian American applicants is asking the Supreme Court to ban the consideration of race in college admissions nationwide.
With an expanded 6-3 conservative majority since the last time the court heard an affirmative action case, the court could decide in the spring whether to take up the issue anew.
Former executive pleads guilty in college admissions scandal
February 10, 2021 GMTBOSTON (AP) — A former private equity executive who cofounded an investment firm with U2′s Bono pleaded guilty Wednesday to paying $50,000 to have someone secretly correct his son's ACT answers as part of the college admissions bribery scheme.
Ex-investment executive to plead guilty in admissions scam
February 7, 2021 GMTBOSTON (AP) — A former private equity executive who cofounded an investment firm with U2's Bono agreed to plead guilty in connection to the college admissions bribery scheme.
Lori Loughlin released after prison term in college scam
December 28, 2020 GMT“Full House” actor Lori Loughlin was released from prison Monday after spending two months behind bars for paying half a million dollars in bribes to get her two daughters into college.
Loughlin was released from the federal lockup in Dublin, California, where she had been serving her sentence for her role in the college admissions bribery scheme, the federal Bureau of Prisons said.
Oliva Jade Giannulli learning from family college ‘mess-up’
December 9, 2020 GMTLOS ANGELES (AP) — Maybe Olivia Jade Giannulli had hoped for kid-glove treatment in choosing the family vibe of “Red Table Talk” for her first public comments about the college admissions scandal involving her famous parents.
Couple gets prison time for paying bribes in college scam
November 17, 2020 GMTBOSTON (AP) — A California couple got prison time Tuesday for paying $250,000 to get their daughter into the University of Southern California as a volleyball recruit — the latest sentencing in the college admissions bribery scheme that's roiled the worlds of higher education, sports and entertainment..
Appeals court clears Harvard of racial bias in admissions
November 12, 2020 GMTBOSTON (AP) — Harvard does not discriminate against Asian American applicants, a federal appeals court ruled Thursday in a decision that offers relief to other colleges that consider race in admissions, but also sets the stage for a potential review by an increasingly conservative U.S.
Politically liberal California rejects affirmative action
November 4, 2020 GMTSAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The campaign to reinstate affirmative action in overwhelmingly Democratic California had money, momentum and big-name backers, including Black celebrities Issa Rae and Ava DuVernay, but voters in the most populated state rejected the measure.
The Latest: California affirmative action measure trailing
November 4, 2020 GMTLOS ANGELES (AP) — The Latest on the California election (all times local):
1:10 a.m.
A ballot measure to reinstate affirmative action in California government is failing. The “no” votes had more than 55% of more than 11 million votes counted so far.
Racial justice movement a factor for 5 state ballot measures
October 14, 2020 GMTThe Black Lives Matter movement isn’t named in any of the 120 statewide ballot measures up for a vote on Nov. 3. But this year's nationwide protests over police brutality and racial injustice are major factors in the campaigns in several states for measures with distinctive racial themes.
Californians to vote on racial, gender preference programs
October 1, 2020 GMTSAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A California with vastly different political preferences and demographics is voting on whether to allow affirmative action in public hiring, contracting and college admissions — nearly a quarter century after voters outlawed programs that give preference based on race and gender.
Employee in college admissions bribery case to plead guilty
August 7, 2020 GMTBOSTON (AP) — A former employee of the consultant who authorities say ran a widespread college admissions bribery scheme that embroiled dozens of wealthy and famous parents has agreed to plead guilty, federal prosecutors said Friday.
California black leaders seek reforms, reparations study
June 3, 2020 GMTSACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California's Legislative Black Caucus is prioritizing a package of bills for this year that include police reform, a task force to study reparations and a repeal of California's controversial 1996 law barring affirmative action at colleges following the police killing of George Floyd.
Virus delays prison time for Hot Pockets heir, ex-CEO
May 1, 2020 GMTAn heir to the Hot Pockets fortune and a former investment executive who participated in the college admissions cheating scheme won't get to serve their punishments at home, but they can delay going to prison until this summer because of the coronavirus pandemic, a judge has ruled.
Ex-CEO, citing virus, seeks home sentence in college scam
April 24, 2020 GMTBOSTON (AP) — The former CEO of a top investment company who got nine months in prison in the college admissions bribery scheme asked a judge if he could begin his sentence at home because of the risk of catching the coronavirus behind bars.
Hot Pockets heir seeks to avoid prison time, citing virus
April 22, 2020 GMTAn heir to the Hot Pockets fortune who was sentenced to five months in prison in the college admissions bribery scheme asked a judge Wednesday to allow her to serve her punishment at home because of the coronavirus pandemic.
5 things to know today - that aren’t about the virus
April 22, 2020 GMTYour daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that are being talked about today:
1. CHIPOTLE AGREES TO RECORD FINE: The fast food company will pay $25 million to resolve criminal charges that it served tainted food that sickened more than 1,100 people in the U.S.
Former UCLA soccer coach to plead guilty in admissions scam
April 21, 2020 GMTThe former University of California at Los Angeles men's soccer coach will plead guilty to taking $200,000 in bribes as part of the college admissions cheating scheme, federal prosecutors said Tuesday.
Judge: Misconduct claims in college scam case ‘disturbing’
April 17, 2020 GMTThe judge overseeing the case against actress Lori Loughlin, her fashion designer husband Mossimo Giannulli and other parents charged with cheating the college admissions process called allegations of misconduct by investigators “serious and disturbing” on Friday.