Mark Riddell: Exam whizz at centre of US college cheat scandal

[nitpicker]

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-47544392

Mark Riddell: Exam whizz at centre of US college cheat scandal

1 minute ago

A 36-year-old director of university entrance exam preparations at a Florida school catering towards elite athletes is at the centre of a US college cheating scandal. The investigation has ensnared Hollywood actresses, business executives and others representing what prosecutors called a "catalogue of wealth and privilege".

Mark Riddell, whom prosecutors said in a news conference was "just a really smart guy", is accused of taking college admissions tests or altering answers on behalf of high school students.

Mr Riddell, described in a job profile as a Harvard University graduate and former professional tennis player, is charged with fraud and money laundering in the nationwide case, and will go before a judge in April.

"He didn't have inside information about the answers," said Massachusetts Attorney General Andrew Lelling. "He was just smart enough to get a near perfect score on demand or to calibrate the score."
(snip)

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. Smart, but not smart enough. Or honest enough.

[dalton99a]

2. $10,000 a pop

In the fall of 2015, authorities said, he sat side-by-side with a student as she completed the SAT at her high school in Belmont, Calif., providing her with answers, and later he “gloated” about getting away with the cheating. In the summer of 2018, authorities said, he completed the ACT in a Houston hotel room for the son of Jane Buckingham, the CEO of a boutique marketing firm, according to the indictment.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/03/13/who-was-acing-tests-rich-kids-admissions-scam-pro-tennis-player-really-smart-guy-feds-say/