US 'Sky Castle' Admission Fraud Parents Sentenced to Prison One After Another

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] David Sidhu (61), a Canadian football player turned businessman and one of the individuals involved in the college admissions scandal dubbed the "American version of Sky Castle," was sentenced to a $250,000 fine (approximately 300 million KRW) and 90 days in jail, ABC News reported on the 15th (local time).

According to the report, Sidhu admitted to the charges during a virtual trial held by the Boston Federal Court, stating, "I am very ashamed" and "I broke the law without excuse."

He was accused of paying $200,000 (approximately 240 million KRW) to have someone take the SAT college entrance exam on behalf of his two sons.

On the same day, Karen Littlefair (57), who is accused of paying $9,000 (approximately 10.81 million KRW) to an admissions consulting firm to have her son, a Treasury Department employee, attend Georgetown University online classes on his behalf, was sentenced by the same court to a $209,000 fine (approximately 251 million KRW), five weeks in jail, and 300 hours of community service.

Littlefair's son eventually resigned from the Treasury Department and lost his degree.

Both Sidhu and Littlefair were involved in the large-scale college admissions fraud orchestrated by admissions consultant William Rick Singer. A total of 55 people were indicted in connection with the scandal, and over 30 parents admitted guilt.

The indicted parents included celebrities such as Felicity Huffman from the drama "Desperate Housewives" and Lori Loughlin from the sitcom "Full House," as well as wealthy entrepreneurs.

Despite the widespread public outrage over the large-scale admissions fraud, there has been criticism that the punishments handed down to the participants were relatively light, amounting to mere slap-on-the-wrist penalties.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.