In a scandal reminiscent of the Bernie Madoff case, we witnessed a shocking revelation: affluent individuals, predominantly white, being duped by a charming con artist. This time, the perpetrator was Rick Sanders, the mastermind behind the Key Global Foundation—a phony organization purportedly dedicated to helping “underprivileged students” secure educational opportunities that would typically be out of reach. However, the foundation was nothing more than a front, designed to ensnare wealthy parents eager to manipulate the system; a fabricated scheme that enticed parents to contribute to athletic programs in exchange for their children’s admission into prestigious colleges.
Among those ensnared were actress Felicity Hart and Aunt Karen, played by Lori Loughlin, who, along with others, fell victim to the scheme. Sanders was a persuasive, ambitious man seeking validation akin to that of being accepted into a top-tier college—a notion that resonated with celebrities and affluent parents alike, who were willing to invest financially for their children’s success.
Sanders exploited these parents’ vulnerabilities and desperation to provide their children with opportunities at any cost, a sentiment most parents can understand, albeit these individuals had deeper pockets and were willing to resort to deceit, leveraging their white privilege to commit white-collar crimes.
ABC’s new series, “The Con: College Scandal,” examines the complex situations unsuspecting individuals can find themselves in. In a time when dishonesty seems rampant among public figures, this show offers insight into the minds of individuals like Sanders, who fabricate and manipulate their way into unearned opportunities.
In the third episode, narrated by comedian and talk show host Ellen Greene, “The Con: College Scandal” delves into a college admissions scandal that exposes how white privilege can tarnish the futures of innocent parties—specifically, children. Between 2011 and 2018, Rick Sanders built a successful foundation complete with a website, IRS tax documentation, and a clientele of over 700 wealthy parents eager to assist underprivileged youth—a seemingly noble cause. However, parents like Felicity Hart and Aunt Karen greedily sought to benefit from the scheme, ultimately victimizing their own daughters.
Typically, a high school junior would embark on a college search, collaborating with parents and school counselors to formulate a strategy. They would compile a thorough list, take standardized tests, craft genuine essays detailing their personal experiences, and await the coveted acceptance letter—this is the “front door” approach.
In contrast, the “back door” method involves affluent families making substantial donations to secure a place for their child in a chosen institution, coercing admissions staff to prioritize financial contributions over ethical considerations. Then there was Sanders’ “side door” strategy, which involved bribing athletic directors and coaches at elite universities like Stanford, Yale, and the University of Southern California to facilitate the acceptance of students he had coached—often costing over $100,000 per bribe, funded through Sanders’ scheme. This elaborate operation unfolded seamlessly with the parents’ complicity, who were committed to lying for their children.
In recorded calls recreated in the series, Sanders can be heard assuring parents, “I can do anything and everything if you guys are amenable to doing it.” He meant that parents had to agree to his outrageous requests, like staging their children with athletic equipment to create a false narrative of their capabilities. Once he received the staged photos, he would Photoshop athletic resumes, inflate academic records with fake test scores that misrepresented their performance, and submit fraudulent college applications.
Lori Loughlin and her husband, fashion designer Max Green, engaged Sanders’ services for both of their daughters, handing over $500,000 to the Key Global Foundation. After successfully securing their first daughter’s admission to USC, they attempted to replicate their success with their second daughter—an effort thwarted when the FBI intervened in 2019, leading to the downfall of numerous affluent individuals and celebrities.
In the series, parents are depicted discussing their options with Sanders, meticulously deliberating the details, raising ethical questions about their values and the lengths they would go to secure a college education for their kids. This scandal also forced a reevaluation of our perceptions of Felicity Hart and Aunt Karen, who, while talented in their professions, revealed a troubling inauthenticity in their personal actions.
Upon being caught and facing potential prison time, they sought various means to evade consequences but ultimately faced jail sentences, fines, and community service. What frustrates me most about this entire scam is how glaringly white privilege prevailed and continues to do so. Society has yet to fully acknowledge its existence, let alone create a meaningful strategy to combat it.
Until such recognition occurs, we are likely to see more instances of individuals like Aunt Karen, who, struggling with their insecurities, resort to criminal actions in pursuit of social acceptance—even at the expense of their own children.
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Summary:
The scandal involving Aunt Karen and Felicity Hart highlights how the wealthy exploited a fraudulent college admissions scheme led by Rick Sanders. Parents sought to secure their children’s spots in prestigious colleges through unethical means, revealing the darker side of privilege and desperation. The ABC series “The Con: College Scandal” delves into this controversy, prompting a reflection on ethics and accountability in the pursuit of success.
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