Felicity Huffman: Desperate Housewives star admits part in college admissions scandal

Desperate Housewives star Felicity Huffman has admitted taking part in a college admissions cheating scheme.

The 56-year-old pleaded guilty to paying an admissions consultant $15,000 (£11,570) to have an invigilator boost her daughter Sofia’s SAT score.

The Emmy-winning actress said “yes, your honour” when asked whether she understood the charges at a federal court hearing in Boston.

Prosecutors say they will recommend four months in prison and a $20,000 (£15,400) fine. She is due to be sentenced in September.

Huffman is one of 50 people accused of taking part in the scheme.

It is claimed that wealthy parents paid a total of $25m (£19m) to bribe coaches to help their children get into universities including Yale and Georgetown.

College admissions consultant William “Rick” Singer pleaded guilty in March after being charged with facilitating cheating and helping to bribe university sports coaches to present clients’ children as fake athletic recruits.

Court documents said Huffman had paid the money disguised as a charitable donation.

She previously said in a statement that she accepted responsibility and “will accept the consequences that stem from those actions”.

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Huffman, who is married to actor William H Macy, said their daughter “knew absolutely nothing about my actions, and in my misguided and profoundly wrong way, I have betrayed her”.

She added: “My desire to help my daughter is no excuse to break the law or engage in dishonesty.”

Investigators have said that Macy, 69, was with his wife when Singer explained how he could facilitate cheating because he “controlled” a test centre.

Macy has not been charged and prosecutors have not explained why.

So far, 20 people have agreed to plead guilty following a wave of arrests under the code name Operation Varsity Blues.

Prosecutors have charged 33 parents with participating in the scheme, including actress Lori Loughlin, who starred in the TV series Full House.

(c) Sky News 2019: Felicity Huffman: Desperate Housewives star admits part in college admissions scandal