To the editor: As a fellow USC graduate and educator, I find it very difficult to feel sympathy for Donna Heinel.
While she may have been involved in a system of business processes at USC that was in desperate need of reform, the $160,000 in funds that arrived in Heinel's bank account from her agreement with trustee Rick Singer significantly undermines her credibility. As Deep Throat said in the movie “All the President’s Men,” “Follow the money.”
Had he accepted responsibility for his wrongdoings sooner, instead of trying to blame others, the Varsity Blues ordeal could have been much less costly for both Heinel and his family.
Christian Teeter, West Hollywood
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To the editor: So Donna Heinel reported directly to USC Athletic Director Pat Haden, and we're supposed to believe that Haden had no knowledge of the backdoor admissions process his staff was approving in the name of satisfying big donors? At best, that's total incompetence, and at worst, maybe Haden should have been the one serving time in prison? He just has a bigger name and a better lawyer.
Bob Kargenian, Yorba Linda
