Sam Eshaghoff

Sam Eshaghoff
Eshaghoff in October 2023
Born
Samuel Ezra Eshaghoff

(1992-07-30) July 30, 1992
Great Neck, New York, U.S.
EducationNew York University Stern School of Business (MBA)
Zicklin School of Business (BBA)
OccupationReal estate developer

Sam Eshaghoff (/'eʃæɡɑf/; born July 30, 1992) is an American real estate developer and former professional test-taker. He is the Managing Principal of West Egg Development, a New York-based real estate development and investment company.[1] In 2011, he was charged with impersonation and related crimes in connection with charging students to take standardized tests on their behalf.[2][3] His operations caused the College Board and the Educational Testing Service to reform the way that standardized tests are secured and administered.[4][5]

Early life

Eshaghoff was born in Great Neck, New York to an Iranian Jewish family.[6][7][8] His father Roland Eshaghoff was a home renovator and his mother Janet Esagoff is a real estate attorney.[9] He was raised in Great Neck and attended John L. Miller Great Neck North High School.[10] He attended the University of Michigan,[11] later transferring to Emory University.[12] He ultimately earned his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the Zicklin School of Business in New York[8], majoring in finance and real estate. He later earned his MBA from the New York University Stern School of Business.[13]

Test taking

Eshaghoff was discovered to have been operating a test-taking enterprise[14] while in high school whereby he charged students to take standardized tests, including the SAT and ACT, on their behalf.[11] Reports estimate that Eshaghoff had taken standardized tests for between 7[15] and 20[16] students, charging between $1,500[17] and $3,600[11] per exam. Eshaghoff consistently scored in the 97th percentile or better.[18]

Eshaghoff was arrested and charged by the district attorney of Nassau County for impersonation and falsification of business documents.[19] He was caught after prosecutors and ETS worked with school officials to compare students' SAT scores with their grade point averages, and conduct handwriting analyses.[11] Eshaghoff was represented by Long Island attorney Matin Emouna.[20]

Aftermath

Eshaghoff and the district attorney’s office agreed to conditionally discharge the case. Eshaghoff withdrew his attendance from Emory University.

Community Service

As a condition of his discharge, Eshaghoff was required to perform substantial community service[21] in the form of tutoring.[11] This tutoring included teaching SAT test-taking strategies to low-income students.[1] He tutored in an Educational Alliance program at the Manny Cantor Center, located on the Lower East Side of Manhattan.[22] He is the Chairman and President of the Board of The Brooklyn Bank, a nonprofit organization in Brooklyn.[23][24]

Test Reform

In response to Eshaghoff's operation,[25][26] the College Board and ETS were forced to make radical changes to the administration and security of the SAT exam.[5] The College Board hired former FBI Director Louis Freeh[5] to oversee test security[27] and make substantial changes to test administration nationwide,[28][29] including a requirement that students upload photos of themselves into a database[28] and regulations on the types of permitted identification.[30] The ACT exam, administered by ACT Education also underwent a major security reform.[28] The College Board also began providing law enforcement and government agencies the names of people believed to be engaged in cheating.[31] They have also considered alerting schools when test takers will be coming from other school districts[4] and reducing the number of times the test is administered overseas.[31] The announcement was made at a hearing of the New York State Senate's subcommittee on higher education, and Eshaghoff's methods specifically influenced the new legislation.[32][33] The College Board has twice since made reforms[34][32] to improve test integrity.

Media

Eshaghoff was interviewed for CBS’s 60 Minutes[35] in an episode titled "The Perfect Score: Cheating on the SAT".[35] The segment featured Kurt Landgraf, who was the President of the Educational Testing Service at the time,[36] and Kathleen Rice, who was the District Attorney at the time. The interview was conducted by Alison Stewart.[35]

In 2013, the Lifetime network aired The Cheating Pact, a television film based on Eshaghoff's story,[37] starring Daniela Bobadilla, Laura Ashley Samuels, Laura Slade Wiggins, Max Carver, and Cynthia Gibb.

Real estate

Eshaghoff is the founder and Managing Principal of West Egg Development, a New York-based real estate development and investment manager. His firm is involved in projects in the Greater New York City area.[1] His works include:

  • 710-714 Wortman Avenue, the ground-up construction of 2 multifamily buildings in Brooklyn, his first known project.[38] The buildings were completed in 2018.[39] This was Eshaghoff's first solo project.[8]
  • 22-80 Steinway Street, the renovation and repositioning of a mixed-use building in Astoria. The New York Times reported Eshaghoff's purchase of the property in July 2020.[40]
  • 102-110 East 53rd Street, the ground-up construction of 3 contiguous apartment buildings in East Flatbush, Brooklyn.[41] These initially began as the single development of 110 East 53rd Street.[42] The project was later expanded to include two adjacent lots.[43] Eshaghoff's firm is also developing 76 East 53rd Street[44] on the same block.
  • 215-20 Northern Boulevard, the ground-up development of a luxury mixed-use building in Bayside, Queens.[45] The building will have a mix of residential units, retail space, and sub-grade parking.[46] The project was designed by New York City architect Gerald Caliendo[47] and financed with a $16 million construction loan from Ponce Bank.[8]

He previously worked with Arthur Bocchi developing residential properties across the tristate area. A family office from Great Neck later hired Eshaghoff to handle acquisitions.[8]

Recognition

  • Eshaghoff was named in the "2020 Ones to Watch" by the New York Real Estate Journal[6] among "up and coming professionals as well as industry veterans across all areas of real estate".
  • Eshaghoff is known for having developed and sold the first $1 million dollar homes in the East New York neighborhood of Brooklyn.[48]
  • Eshaghoff's writing has been published in Crain's New York,[49][50] Commercial Observer,[51] and New York Real Estate Journal.[52][53]
  • Eshaghoff is cited as an expert development source in an article published by Bisnow.[54]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Homepage". West Egg Development. Retrieved 2019-03-25.
  2. ^ "7 students arrested in SAT cheating scheme". msnbc.com. 2011-09-28. Retrieved 2018-11-03.
  3. ^ "SAT Cheating Ring Busted in New York". ABC News. 2011-09-27. Retrieved 2018-11-03.
  4. ^ a b Anderson, Jenny. "After Arrest, a Wider Inquiry on SAT Cheating". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Retrieved 2019-02-26.
  5. ^ a b c Hu, Winnie; Anderson, Jenny (2011-10-25). "SAT Officials Vow Tighter Test Security After Arrests". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-02-26.
  6. ^ a b "2020 Ones to Watch: Sam Eshaghoff, West Egg Development".
  7. ^ "Long Island Eye: The SAT Cheating Scandal Grows". International Business Times. 19 November 2011.
  8. ^ a b c d e Cryan, Elizabeth (2025-08-21). "From SAT scandal to real estate developer". The Real Deal. Retrieved 2025-08-21.
  9. ^ "Esagoff Law Group". esagofflawgroup.com. Retrieved 2018-11-03.
  10. ^ "7 Long Island Students Charged in SAT Fraud Scheme". The New York Times. Associated Press. 28 September 2011. Retrieved 2018-11-03.
  11. ^ a b c d e Applebome, Peters; Anderson, Jenny (2 December 2011). "On Long Island, SAT Cheating Was Hardly a Secret". The New York Times. Retrieved 2018-11-03.
  12. ^ "Sam Eshaghoff, Emory University Student, Allegedly Took SAT For Other Students". Huffington Post. 2011-09-27. Retrieved 2018-11-03.
  13. ^ Reddy, Kriyana. "Not All Chinese Are 'Wealthy Cheats'". The Ledger. Retrieved 2023-09-05.
  14. ^ "N.Y. Authorities Arrest Seven Accused Of Running SAT Cheating Ring". NPR.org. Retrieved 2018-11-03.
  15. ^ "7 Arrested in Long Island SAT Cheating Ring". NBC New York. Retrieved 2018-11-03.
  16. ^ Sgueglia, Kristina. "Two more surrender, making 20 arrests in SAT/ACT scandal". CNN. Retrieved 2018-11-03.
  17. ^ "'Hire' ed. cheating scandal". New York Post. 2011-09-28. Retrieved 2018-11-03.
  18. ^ Anderson, Jenny (30 September 2011). "After Arrest, a Wider Inquiry on SAT Cheating". The New York Times. Retrieved 2018-11-03.
  19. ^ "SAT Cheating Ring Widens". ABC News. 2011-11-21. Retrieved 2018-11-03.
  20. ^ "Suspect in SAT scandal on '60 Minutes'". Newsday. Retrieved 2018-11-03.
  21. ^ "Boasting may impact punishment in SAT case". Newsday. Retrieved 2018-11-03.
  22. ^ @SamEshaghoff (2017-02-21). "#Volunteering for @EdAlliance at @MannyCantorNYC , who offers everything from #tutoring #students for the #SAT to #professional #development" (Tweet). Retrieved 2023-09-05 – via Twitter.
  23. ^ "NYREJ : The commercial real estate media source". nyrej.com. Retrieved 2023-09-05.
  24. ^ "Leadership". Brooklynbank. Retrieved 2023-09-05.
  25. ^ Anderson, Jenny; Hu, Winnie (23 November 2011). "More Students Charged in Long Island SAT Cheating Case". The New York Times. Retrieved 2018-11-03.
  26. ^ "More Arrests Reportedly Imminent in New York SAT Cheating Scandal". Fox News. 2015-03-26. Retrieved 2018-11-03.
  27. ^ Eltman, Frank (2011-10-25). "SAT officials: Former FBI boss to review security". Boston.com. Retrieved 2019-02-26.
  28. ^ a b c "New SAT Security After Cheating Ring". ABC News. 2012-03-27. Retrieved 2018-11-03.
  29. ^ Anderson, Jenny (2012-03-27). "After Cheating Scandal, SAT and ACT Will Tighten Security". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-02-26.
  30. ^ "11 Surrender in SAT Cheating Ring". ABC News. 2011-11-22. Retrieved 2019-02-26.
  31. ^ a b "Kids in Asia have an unfair advantage on the SAT. New security won't help, critics say". miamiherald. Retrieved 2019-02-26.
  32. ^ a b "SAT officials say former FBI chief to examine security procedures after NY cheating scandal". www.freehgroup.com. Retrieved 2019-02-26.
  33. ^ "SAT Security To Be Heightened; Testing Services Grilled At State Senate Hearing". 2011-10-25. Retrieved 2019-02-26.
  34. ^ Zhang, Fred. "New SAT vs Old SAT: Changes You Must Know". blog.prepscholar.com. Retrieved 2019-02-26.
  35. ^ a b c "The Perfect Score: Cheating on the SAT". Retrieved 2018-11-03.
  36. ^ "Kurt M. Landgraf". www.washcoll.edu. Retrieved 2018-11-03.
  37. ^ "'The Cheating Pact' true story of Samuel Eshaghoff". article.wn.com. Retrieved 2018-11-19.
  38. ^ "Million-Dollar Listings: East New York". Real Estate Weekly. 2018-10-12. Retrieved 2023-09-05.
  39. ^ Morris, Sebastian (2018-10-08). "Construction Wraps on New Two-Family Homes at 710-714 Wortman Avenue, East New York, Brooklyn". New York YIMBY. Retrieved 2023-09-05.
  40. ^ June, Sophia (2020-07-28). "Recent Commercial Real Estate Transactions". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-08-10.
  41. ^ "Eshaghoff's West Egg Development expands in East Flatbush, Brooklyn". nyrej.com. Retrieved 2020-05-10.
  42. ^ Morris, Sebastian (2019-08-15). "West Egg Development Debuts Renderings of 110 East 53rd Street in East Flatbush, Brooklyn". New York YIMBY. Retrieved 2023-09-05.
  43. ^ Morris, Sebastian (2019-12-12). "Rendering Revealed for Three-Building Development at 106-110 East 53rd Street in East Flatbush, Brooklyn". New York YIMBY. Retrieved 2023-09-05.
  44. ^ Londono, Vanessa (2020-07-06). "Permits Filed for 76 East 53rd Street in East Flatbush, Brooklyn". New York YIMBY. Retrieved 2023-09-05.
  45. ^ "Select Projects". West Egg Development. Retrieved 2020-05-10.
  46. ^ Morris, Sebastian (2022-05-19). "Renderings Reveal Mixed-Use Building at 215-16 Northern Boulevard in Bayside, Queens". New York YIMBY. Retrieved 2023-09-05.
  47. ^ "215-16 Northern Blvd". Caliendo Architects. 2023-03-18. Retrieved 2023-09-05.
  48. ^ "First $1M Homes Have Arrived in East NY -- Is a Wave of Developers Next?". BKReader. 2018-10-17. Retrieved 2023-09-05.
  49. ^ "Op-ed: Food deserts need healthy restaurants too". Crain's New York Business. 2023-04-24. Retrieved 2023-04-26.
  50. ^ "Op-ed: Renew tax abatement programs to refill new housing pipeline". Crain's New York Business. 2023-09-07. Retrieved 2023-09-14.
  51. ^ Eshaghoff, Sam (2023-09-13). "NYC Must Incentivize Residential Development Before It's Too Late". Commercial Observer. Retrieved 2023-09-14.
  52. ^ Sam Eshaghoff. "The domino effect of rent stabilization in New York". nyrej.com. Retrieved 2023-10-01.
  53. ^ "NYC housing market: Renters are opting to renew leases - by Sam Eshaghoff". nyrej.com. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
  54. ^ "More Heads In Beds Closing Grocery Store Gaps In Southern Dallas". Bisnow. Retrieved 2023-09-05.
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