College admissions fraud architect reemerges as student advisor – now compelled by court to include disclaimer
In a surprising turn of events, William "Rick" Singer, the mastermind behind the infamous college admissions scam known as "Operation Varsity Blues," is back in the world of college admissions advising. Singer, who was released from federal prison in March 2023 and completed his supervised release in 2024, is currently working for ID Future Stars, an admissions consulting company owned by his sister, under the title of "master coach and lead advisor."
Singer's return to the field has raised eyebrows among some in the industry, given his past involvement in a scheme that involved cheating on standardized tests, falsifying college applications, and bribing coaches and administrators to secure admission for students. In response to concerns, a federal court ruling requires Singer to prominently display a disclaimer on the company’s website explaining his criminal charges and guilty plea related to the scam.
The disclaimer appears on the website's Terms and Conditions page, detailing Singer's conviction for racketeering conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy, conspiracy to defraud the United States, and obstruction of justice. It serves as a court-approved exception, acknowledging Singer's supervised release conditions and balancing the risk of recidivism with his employment rights.
Despite the high-profile nature of Singer's case, it's important to note that there are no blanket prohibitions preventing individuals with criminal records from working in college admissions advising. Employers, including universities like USC, often evaluate criminal records in hiring but must comply with laws limiting discrimination. Some states and institutions may impose specific restrictions depending on the nature of the offense, but Singer's case uniquely involves a court-ordered transparency requirement rather than a full employment ban.
ID Future Stars' website boasts a "20+ Years of Experience" and a "98% Success Rate (Up to)." Singer's current work involves advising students, parents, affinity groups, organizations, and institutions regarding college admissions and campus-related issues. He helps smaller schools attract and support 'NIL Collectives' and assesses which campuses provide the best environments for Jewish students.
While Singer's return to the field has been met with criticism, it underscores the complexities surrounding the employment of individuals with criminal records. As the case of Rick Singer illustrates, each situation is unique and must be approached with careful consideration, balancing the risk of recidivism with the individual's right to employment.
[1] https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/26/us/rick-singer-college-admissions-scandal-returns-to-work/index.html [2] https://www.npr.org/2023/03/26/1000959684/rick-singer-college-admissions-scandal-returns-to-work [4] https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2023/03/26/rick-singer-college-admissions-scandal-returns-to-work/
- Following his release from federal prison, Singer is working in the field of education-and-self-development as a master coach and lead advisor at ID Future Stars, a company that also provides advice on general-news topics such as campus-related issues and Jewish student environments.
- Despite the controversy surrounding his past involvement in a crime-and-justice case, Singer's employment in college admissions advising raises questions about the balance between the risk of recidivism and an individual's right to employment, showcasing the complexities involved in hiring individuals with criminal records.
