Falmouth Property Could Be Seized In College Cheating Case

FALMOUTH, MA – One of 50 people named in a college recruitment scam that's swept up parents, coaches and even a couple of TV stars owns property in Falmouth, according to MassLive. Federal investigators plan to seize 25 Gang Way Unit 25, which is owned by University of Rhode Island women's tennis coach Gordon Ernst.

According to court records cited by MassLive, investigators name the $530,000 property and a country club membership in Maryland as assets that could be seized in the case. They will also seek a forfeiture of $2.7 million against Ernst.

Ernst, who previously coached at Georgetown for 12 years, was a resident of Chevy Chase, MD and Falmouth. He became the women's tennis coach at the University of Rhode Island in August.

"The University of Rhode Island today was made aware of an indictment of head women’s tennis coach Gordon Ernst related to incidents that allegedly took place while he was head coach at Georgetown University," the University of Rhode Island said in a statement Tuesday. "As a result, the University has placed Ernst on administrative leave while it continues to review the matter. Ernst was hired by URI in August 2018 as head coach. He has not been involved in the recruitment of any current players nor in the signing of any new recruits."

The investigation, dubbed "Operation Varsity Blues," has been called the "largest ever" admissions scandal by federal prosecutors. In total, 50 people have been named, including 33 parents, nine coaches, two SAT and ACT administrators, one proctor and one college administrator.

Actresses Lori Loughlin, best known as Aunt Becky on "Full House," and Felicity Huffman, known for her role as Lynette Scavo on "Desperate Housewives," are charged with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud.

William "Rick" Singer, 56, of Newport Beach, California, who is accused by federal officials of being at the center of the scheme, is charged in Massachusetts with racketeering conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy, conspiracy to defraud the United States and obstruction of justice.

Singer owns "Edge College & Career Network, LLC," also known as "The Key," a purported charitable foundation that he used as a front for laundering money to facilitate the scheme, officials said. Many of the bribes were paid through the purported charity, prosecutors said.

Singer pleaded guilty in Boston federal court Tuesday, The Associated Press reported.