Father Sues USC, Netflix over Varsity Blues Scandal After Conviction is Overturned
A Massachusetts father who was falsely accused in the “Varsity Blues” college admissions scandal is suing USC and Netflix over their alleged roles in his wrongful conviction, which was later overturned.
John Wilson, a former executive at Staples and Gap, was one of 33 parents who were charged in the 2019 bribery scandal that involved allegedly helping their children gain admittance to several top universities. In 2021, he was convicted of fraud, conspiracy, and bribery, but the charges were later dropped in 2023 after judges said the government failed to prove an “overarching conspiracy” between Wilson and Rick Singer, the college counselor behind the admissions scheme who was sentenced to 3.5 years in prison.
The Case Against Wilson
Wilson’s son, Johnny, had excellent test scores and was a nationally-ranked water polo player, and Wilson had hired an L.A.-based independent college advisor named Rick Singer to tutor and advise his son on the USC college admissions process. Singer had come highly recommended to Wilson.
The Donation
In 2010, Wilson made a $100,000 donation to USC through Singer’s charity, which was verified by USC’s assistant athletic director. The university sent Wilson a thank-you letter confirming receipt of the donation to the water polo team. His son went on to play for USC in 2014 as a freshman.
The Wrongful Conviction
However, when Wilson was caught up in the scandal with Singer’s other clients, people who actually paid for falsified academic records or tests or made donations in exchange for admission, he said he wouldn’t go down without a fight to clear his name.
“We didn’t cheat on any tests,” he said. “We made a donation to the school and got receipts. I was facing 180 years of prison time.”
The Lawsuit
Wilson is suing USC and Netflix, claiming they were complicit in his wrongful conviction. He alleges that USC lied about his donation, which prosecutors later claimed was a bribe, and that Netflix falsely portrayed him and his son in the documentary “Operation Varsity Blues.”
For the documentary, Wilson filed a defamation lawsuit against the entertainment company, claiming they smeared him and his son through innuendo and it was devastating because of the broad reach of Netflix.
The Fight for Justice
Wilson’s attorney, William Tanenbaum, said they are in the discovery phase of the lawsuit and have successfully opposed a motion to dismiss. Wilson said he wants those who have harmed his family to be held accountable and will continue to fight to clear his family’s name.
Conclusion
Wilson’s case is a cautionary tale about the dangers of false accusations and the importance of seeking justice. His determination to clear his name and protect his family’s future is a testament to his strength and resilience in the face of adversity.
FAQs
* What is the Varsity Blues scandal?
+ The Varsity Blues scandal was a national college admissions bribery scandal that involved wealthy parents paying bribes to secure their children’s admission to top universities.
* Who is John Wilson?
+ John Wilson is a former executive at Staples and Gap who was accused of being part of the Varsity Blues scandal and was later convicted of fraud, conspiracy, and bribery.
* What is the basis for the lawsuit?
+ The lawsuit is based on the alleged wrongful conviction of John Wilson and the alleged defamation by Netflix in their documentary “Operation Varsity Blues.”
* What is the current status of the lawsuit?
+ The lawsuit is ongoing, with the parties in the discovery phase. Wilson’s attorney has successfully opposed a motion to dismiss, and the case is expected to continue.
