In light of the recent college admissions scandal where affluent families were caught administering bribes for their children to get into specific colleges, Maxine Waters shared her opinion on this example of wealth and privilege.
“I am heartbroken and disgusted by the lying and cheating of the ultra-rich parents,” Waters said. “And their allies who orchestrated an egregious college admissions scheme and robbed highly qualified students of the opportunity to attend elite universities.”
The U.S. representative went on to celebrate the investigation that led to the discovery of more than $25 million dollars between 2011 to 2018 paid to William Rick Singer, a college admissions counselor who reportedly misrepresented students by forging standardized tests and a student’s athletic abilities.
“I applaud the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, federal prosecutors, and the nearly 200 federal agents nationwide who exposed the lies and toxic privilege leveraged by wealthy elites to buy their children admittance into selective colleges,” Waters continued.
The California rep went on to offer her support to minority students who experience discrimination during their application process. The 80-year-old congresswoman promised to one day make education accessible for all.
“There should be no toll or tax on one’s path to success besides hard work. I stand with students across this country—particularly those from minority, low-income, and rural communities—who have been unfairly denied admission to elite universities as well as the students who have filed a class action lawsuit against the schools named by federal prosecutors. I will not stop until we have an education system that is accessible, affordable, and equitable for all—not some.”
