Harvard Test-Taking Whiz At Center Of College Admission Scandal Pleads Guilty
Mark Riddell, one of the key pieces to the largest ever college admissions scandal, pleaded guilty before a federal judge in Boston late last week after arranging a deal with federal prosecutors. Riddell pleaded to fraud conspiracy and money laundering and faces 33 to 41 months in prison as a result. As part of his deal, he admitted to conspiring with William Rick Singer, the scam's ringleader.
Riddell is hoping for leniency at his sentencing as part of his plea deal. He has also agreed to forfeit $239,449. Prosecutors claim that Riddell was central to the cheating scheme.
“I’m being charged with conspiracy to commit fraud for cheating on the SAT and ACT,” Riddell admitted to the judge on Friday afternoon. Riddell previously said last month:
“I will always regret the choices I made, but I do also believe that the more than 1,000 students I legitimately counseled, inspired and helped reach their goals will paint a more complete picture of the person I truly am.”
Riddell had been referred to as the "secret weapon" in the college admissions cheating scandal. U.S. attorney for the District of Massachusetts, Andrew Lelling, said last month: “He did not have inside information about the correct answers. He was just smart enough to get a near-perfect score.”
https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2019-04-14/harvard-test-taking-whiz-center-college-admission-scandal-pleads-guilty