The Naval Criminal Investigation Service announced today the indictment of several Marines accused of bribing college officials for admission to some of the nation’s top online diploma mills.

"These bribes deprived veterans, other service members and average American dupes the chance to get ahead," NCIS Agent Tom Malloy told reporters. "They prevented the opportunity for hard working people to advance careers through an esteemed and rigorous education."

NCIS opened its investigation after a Camp Lejeune unit education officer dropped an envelope stuffed with one and five dollar bills and an application to Strayer University written in crayon. A civilian contractor turned the envelope over to NCIS, igniting a scandal that involved multiple Marine Corps bases, according to Malloy.

"In most instances, an education officer took half of the money and sent the rest to the university official," Malloy said.