Aspen couple among families implicated in college bribery scandal

Gregory and Marcia Abbott are accused of paying $125,000 to boost their daughter’s scores on SAT, ACT tests

Meg Wingerter
The Denver Post

Gregory Abbott, founder and chairman of International Dispensing Corporation, leaves after appearing in federal court in New York on bribery charges, Tuesday, March 12, 2019. Abbott is among dozens of people who were charged Tuesday in a scheme in which wealthy parents allegedly bribed college coaches and other insiders to get their children into some of the nation's most elite schools.
*AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews*

An Aspen couple are among the 50 people facing federal charges in the nationwide college-admissions cheating scandal that has ensnared Hollywood celebrities and corporate CEOs on both coasts.

Gregory and Marcia Abbott — who, according to court documents, are residents of both Aspen and New York City — are accused in a federal indictment of paying $125,000 to boost their teenage daughter’s scores on three standardized tests used for college admissions.

A woman who answered a phone number listed for Marcia Abbott at the couple’s Aspen address hung up Wednesday when asked about the allegations in the federal indictment.

Gregory Abbott, who is the CEO of beverage packaging company International Dispensing Corp., appeared in federal court in New York on Tuesday and was released on $500,000 bond, according to the Associated Press. Marcia Abbott was believed to be in Colorado and hadn’t made a court appearance as of Thursday morning.

Both face charges of conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud.

Read the full story from The Denver Post.

Crime

Man faces first-degree attempted murder charge after striking woman with crowbar in New Castle

A Garfield County Corrections security guard jogging in New Castle on Sunday survived being attacked by a former prisoner.

Support Local Journalism

Readers around Aspen and Snowmass Village make the Aspen Times’ work possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism.

Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference.

Each donation will be used exclusively for the development and creation of increased news coverage.

Start a dialogue, stay on topic and be civil.
If you don't follow the rules, your comment may be deleted.

User Legend: Moderator Trusted User