Appeals court overturns fraud convictions of wealthy parents in college admissions scandal.
The convictions of John Wilson and Gamal Abdelaziz, two wealthy parents found guilty in the college admissions cheating scheme known as "Operation Varsity Blues," have been vacated by an appeals court judge on technical grounds. The judge stated that the district court erred in instructing the jury that admissions slots constitute property. The decision represents a significant setback for prosecutors who charged more than 50 wealthy parents and college athletics officials in 2019 in connection with the nationwide scam.