College Admissions Scammer Unloads $14M Apartment In Manhattan

Gregory Abbott, a parent involved in the Varsity Blues college admissions scandal, recently sold his Upper East Side apartment for $13.5 million. This sale comes as Abbott faces legal consequences for his role in the scandal. He was one of several parents charged with bribing college officials to secure their children’s admission to prestigious universities.

The Varsity Blues scandal, which came to light in 2019, involved a complex scheme orchestrated by William “Rick” Singer, a college admissions consultant. Singer, in collaboration with corrupt college officials, facilitated the cheating process by accepting bribes from parents to manipulate standardized test scores, forge athletic credentials, and even create fake profiles for their children. The scheme, which targeted universities including Yale, Stanford, Georgetown, and the University of Southern California, highlighted the lengths some parents were willing to go to secure a place for their children in elite institutions.

Abbott’s apartment sale is likely part of his efforts to manage his finances following the legal proceedings. The $13.5 million sale price reflects the high-end real estate market in Manhattan’s Upper East Side, a neighborhood known for its luxury residences. The sale highlights the significant wealth accumulated by some of the parents involved in the scandal.

The Varsity Blues case sent shockwaves through the higher education system, prompting discussions about the ethical implications of college admissions practices and the role of wealth in shaping educational opportunities. It remains a subject of intense debate, raising questions about access to higher education, the pursuit of privilege, and the accountability of institutions involved in such schemes.