The Region : USC Probes Reports of Fake Degree Sales

USC officials are investigating allegations that phony degrees, backed up by complete transcripts illegally placed in the university’s computer system, were sold for up to $25,000 each, The Times has learned. The allegations, if substantiated, would represent the second instance of illegal tampering with the university’s computer to surface since October. Thirty USC students are currently under investigation for allegedly paying to have unauthorized grade changes made on their transcripts. “Our investigation has widened beyond grade changes,” said USC Vice Provost Sylvia Manning, who is coordinating the university’s probe. “We are now investigating the possibility that someone may have created entire transcripts as well.” Drug Enforcement Administration agents in Louisville, Ky., said they uncovered information that phony USC degrees were sold during the course of a drug investigation, and that information was later relayed to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office. Investigators said they were unaware of how many phony degrees reportedly were sold.