A Massachusetts father and son are suing Netflix for defamation, claiming the streaming giant unfairly portrayed them in the 2021 documentary “Operation Varsity Blues: The College Admissions Scandal.” John Wilson Sr. and John Wilson Jr. filed the lawsuit in Barnstable Superior Court last week, alleging the documentary inaccurately grouped them with individuals who pleaded guilty to charges related to the nationwide college admissions scandal.
The Wilsons argue that Netflix misrepresented their involvement in the case. John Wilson Sr. initially faced charges of conspiracy, bribery, and fraud for allegedly paying to inflate his son’s test scores and secure his admission to a prestigious university. However, his conviction was overturned on appeal in 2023. Despite this, the lawsuit claims the documentary presented a misleading narrative, portraying them in the same light as others who were definitively found guilty.
John Wilson Sr. maintains his innocence and argues that the documentary tarnished his and his son’s reputations. “We never cheated on any tests or paid anyone to cheat on any tests,” he stated. “We didn’t bribe any coaches, and we didn’t fake any athletes.” The lawsuit details attempts by the Wilsons to warn Netflix about the inaccuracies in their portrayal before the documentary’s release, but claims these efforts were ignored.
The specific amount of damages sought by the Wilsons is not publicly known. However, their lawsuit seeks compensation for emotional distress and reputational harm caused by the documentary’s depiction. Netflix has yet to comment on the lawsuit.
This case highlights the ongoing legal complexities surrounding the college admissions scandal and the potential consequences of media portrayals, even in documentaries. The outcome of the lawsuit could have implications for both freedom of speech and the responsibility of filmmakers to ensure factual accuracy.
