Operation Varsity Blues was a 2019 U.S. college admissions bribery scandal involving affluent parents, including celebrities and business leaders. They were accused of using bribes to secure their children's admission to elite universities, facilitated by consultant Rick Singer. Singer orchestrated cheating on exams and falsifying athletic credentials. The scandal exposed systemic issues in admissions, prompting arrests, indictments, and heightened scrutiny regarding fairness for all applicants.