2 more students surrender in Long Island SAT, ACT cheating scandal

(CBS/AP) GARDEN CITY, N.Y. - Two more students accused in a college entrance exam cheating ring in an affluent New York suburb surrendered to authorities on Monday.

A total of 20 students are now facing criminal charges in connection to the scandal.

Michael Pomerantz, 18, and an unidentified teenager turned themselves into Nassau County prosecutors before being taken to district court for arraignment. 

Pomerantz is one of five current or former students at Great Neck-area public and private high schools charged with accepting payments of between $500 and $3,600 to impersonate other students on SAT and ACT college entrance exams.

Pomerantz faces felony charges including scheming to defraud, falsifying business records and criminal impersonation. Pomerantz and the other four face up to four years in prison if convicted.

The other defendant who turned himself in on Monday faces a misdemeanor charge for allegedly buying those test taking services, reports CBS New York. His name is not being released because of his age.

Fifteen other students, including one who surrendered Monday, are facing undisclosed misdemeanor charges for having others stand in for them and take the college exams. Prosecutors say they are barred from identifying those 15 because they are being prosecuted as juveniles. Authorities say they can't even contact the students' colleges to inform them of the cheating allegations because of privacy laws.

The scandal, which erupted in September, has prompted a review of the security procedures surrounding the tests by a state Senate subcommittee on higher education.

More on Crimesider
November 10, 2011 - Widening SAT cheating probe in NY eyeing at least 35 students, ACT exam also involved
September 27, 2011 - SAT cheating scandal alleged at Long Island high school, college student also accused