William “Rick” Singer, the mastermind of the sprawling college admissions scam aptly known as Operation Varsity Blues, was sentenced Wednesday to 3.5 years in federal prison, the longest sentence in a case that has rattled America’s higher education system.In federal court in Boston on Wednesday, Singer apologized for his actions and said his morals took a backseat to “winning and keeping score.” “I lost my ethical values and have so much regret.Prosecutors had asked the court to sentence him to six years, while Singer’s attorneys asked for probation with home detention and community service.To conceal the payments, he or an employee directed the parents to give money to the Key Worldwide Foundation as a charitable donation, the indictment states.I have woken up every day feeling shame, remorse, and regret,” Singer wrote in a recent court submission ahead of his sentencing."