Colburn: Varsity Blues Fraud, Boston MA, 2019

BOSTON, MA – The sprawling federal case of United States v. Colburn (1:19-cr-10080, District Court, D. Massachusetts) continues to expose the rot at the heart of elite college admissions. While the headline grabbing names of William Rick Singer and the wealthy parents involved are well known, the legal battles rage on, impacting a wide range of institutions and individuals caught in the web of deception.

The case centers around a fraudulent scheme orchestrated to facilitate the admission of children from wealthy families into prestigious universities like the University of Southern California and Georgetown University. Singer, the mastermind, allegedly accepted substantial payments to bribe college officials and fabricate athletic achievements on applications, allowing unqualified students to gain admission over more deserving candidates. This isn’t just about money; it’s about the systematic erosion of meritocracy and the blatant privilege that continues to define access to opportunity.

Among the parties involved, beyond the obvious players like the USA and defendant Colburn, are a staggering list of entities: the Boston Globe Media Partners, LLC, Educational Testing Service, and even objecting parents and students, all impacted by the fallout. Attorneys representing the various interests include a veritable who’s who of white-collar defense, with names like George P. Varghese, Bruce M. Berman, and Noel J. Francisco leading the charge. The sheer volume of legal representation underscores the complexity and high stakes of the proceedings. Other counsel include: Marc Charles Laredo, Anthony E. Fuller, Brandon D. Fox, William H. Kettlewell, Carol E. Head, Andrew E. Tomback, Ian J. Stearns, Stephen E. Frank, Gordon P. Katz, Alexia R. De Vincentis, Elizabeth Carr Pignatelli, James P. Loonam, Philip Yvan Kouyoumdjian, David P. Vaughn, Laura Diss Gradel, Kristen A. Kearney, Justin D. O’Connell, Lauren M. Papenhausen, Leslie Wright, Glenn A. MacKinlay, Douglas Fuchs, Donald C. Lockhart, Kathryn S. Wallrabenstein, Michael Kendall, Andrew Neil Hartzell, Debra Wong Yang, Raquelle L. Kaye, Mark D Smith, Yakov Malkiel, Donald H. Heller, David H. Thomas, Eric S. Rosen, Timothy J. Perla, Jeremy M. Sternberg, Jonathan M. Albano, Karin Michelle Bell, and Alexander Joshua Wilson.

Individuals named within the case documents beyond Colburn, Singer, and the parents include Steven Masera, Alexandra Reisman, John Wilson, Ron Orr, Steve Lopes, Alex Garfio, Pat Haden, Scott Wandzilak, and Ron Crawford. Williams & Olds, CPAs are also listed, suggesting potential financial irregularities beyond the direct bribery and application fraud. The involvement of these figures hints at a deeper network of complicity, extending beyond the immediate scheme to encompass accountants and administrators who may have facilitated the illegal activities.

While specific charges and sentencing details for Colburn remain within the court records, the broader implications of the Varsity Blues scandal are clear: the system is rigged. Wealth and connections continue to trump merit and hard work, and the pursuit of prestige often comes at the expense of fairness and equality. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and expose the truth behind the gilded facades of America’s elite institutions.

The court filings demonstrate a protracted legal battle, with numerous motions and objections filed by the defense and intervening parties. The case is far from closed, and further revelations are expected as the proceedings unfold. This isn’t simply about getting kids into college; it’s about the corruption that permeates the entire system and the lengths to which the wealthy will go to maintain their privilege. The names of Masera, Reisman, Wilson, Orr, Lopes, Garfio, Haden, Crawford, and Wandzilak will undoubtedly resurface as the investigation progresses.

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