Chapter 12
480words
The post exploded instantly.
"Are you serious? An IMO gold medalist denied a scholarship?"
"Boss Sarah, something's definitely fishy. The principal must be pulling strings."
"This is blatant corruption! Someone needs to report this!"
"We should dig into this principal's background."
Comments rapidly evolved from sympathy to outrage to calls for action:
"This can't stand! We need to do something!"
"Time to investigate this corrupt administration!"
"My cousin works at the State Department of Education. I'm sending this to her now!"
"I know someone at the Boston Globe. Let's make this public!"
The next morning, I arrived at school to find several black government SUVs parked outside the principal's office.
Men and women in suits with federal badges moved through the school, interviewing staff and students, examining documents.
"State Education Department Audit!"
"Federal Education Oversight Committee!"
Principal Blackwood sat surrounded by investigators in his office, his face ashen and bewildered.
Clearly, he'd never expected this kind of scrutiny.
The investigation uncovered a staggering web of corruption.
Federal investigators found extensive violations in the school's financial records: Principal Blackwood had been using his position to engage in systematic corruption.
First came illegal fee collection. Beyond standard tuition, he had created bogus charges like "Alpha Elite Development Fee," "Advanced Academic Guidance Fee," and "Executive Social Training Fee," bilking families for tens of thousands in extra payments annually.
More serious was outright embezzlement. He had created phantom expenses in uniform costs, catering services, and facility maintenance, funneling millions into his personal accounts.
Investigators also uncovered extensive bribery. Wealthy Alpha families had provided "donations" directly to Blackwood in exchange for preferential treatment—including scholarships, recommendation letters, and grade alterations.
Most damning of all, Blackwood had diverted school construction funds to purchase three luxury properties in Boston's Beacon Hill and had used school money to establish a private investment firm.
The federal trial proceeded swiftly. Faced with mountains of evidence, Blackwood's attorneys could offer little defense.
Richard Blackwood was sentenced to seven years in federal prison for multiple felonies including educational corruption, embezzlement, and money laundering. All ill-gotten assets were seized.
His accomplices didn't escape justice either. Professor Matthews, Mrs. Harrison, and others were immediately terminated and fined between $30,000 and $200,000 for their roles in the scheme.
In the end, Victoria's fall from grace was spectacular.
With her father's conviction, all Blackwood family assets were seized by the federal government. Their mansion was padlocked, luxury cars impounded, and bank accounts frozen.
The school board expelled Victoria in the wake of the scandal. She was banned from setting foot on St. Mary's campus again.
On her last day, I happened to see her at the school gates.
