By Josh Resnek
The national scandal allowing the very rich and influential to buy their children entrance into the nation’s most competitive colleges and universities has a strong Everett connection.
Abdul “Aziz” Abdelaziz, a close associate and friend of the mayor’s, worked side by side with him in Everett during the early months when Wynn Resorts was plotting the capture of a gaming license in Massachusetts for Steve Wynn.
At the time, Aziz was a vice-president of Wynn Resorts.
Aziz was indicted and arrested last week as part of the nationwide college entrance scam that ensnared dozens of well to do people, including Hollywood stars and multi-millionaires, who paid huge sums of money to scammers for their kids to gain entrance into more competitive colleges and universities.
This investigation was conducted by the US Attorney’s office in Boston headed by Andrew E. Lelling – a federal prosecutor for 15 years before his appointment in December, 2017.
Abdelaziz is accused of bribing Donna Heinel, the senior associate athletic director at USC, to designate his daughter as a recruit to the USC basketball team in order to get her admitted to the university.
He is accused of paying Key Worldwide Foundation $300,000 and paying $20,000 per month directly to Heinel.
He could be facing a stiff jail sentence and a large fine, according to lawyers familiar with the case.
The mayor refused to comment on the matter.