Felicity Huffman to plead guilty in college admissions cheating scam

LOS ANGELES — Felicity Huffman is scheduled to plead guilty in Boston federal court Monday to paying someone to correct answers on her daughter’s SAT exam as part of the nationwide college admissions cheating scam.

The onetime “Desperate Housewives” star agreed to plead to conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud for paying a proctor $15,000 to correct her daughter Sophia Grace Macy’s exam.

Also scheduled to plead guilty today is Los Angeles businessman Devin Sloane, who allegedly paid $250,000 to get his son into USC as a fake water polo recruit. Sloane, who founded a drinking and wastewater systems company, bought water polo gear online and worked with a graphic designer to create a fake photo of his son playing the sport, according to prosecutors.

Huffman’s expected plea comes two months after she was arrested in what’s been called “Operation Varsity Blues,” in which wealthy parents were accused of paying bribes to help their children get admitted into elite universities across the nation.

Huffman’s husband, actor William H. Macy, was not charged in the scheme.

The 56-year-old Huffman is among 14 parents who have agreed to plead guilty in what authorities have called it the biggest college admissions cheating scandal ever prosecuted in the nation.

Prosecutors have said they will seek between four and 10 months in prison. Because Huffman agreed to plead guilty, prosecutors have promised to recommend a sentence at the low end of that range, but the judge also could decide on even less.

According to the terms of her plea deal, Huffman also will receive a year of probation, has agreed to forfeit the $15,000 and also must pay a $20,000 fine.

Huffman has apologized and said her daughter was unaware of her actions.

“I am in full acceptance of my guilt, and with deep regret and shame over what I have done, I accept full responsibility for my actions and will accept the consequences that stem from those actions,” she has said.

Some parents have decided to fight the charges in the scandal led by William “Rick” Singer, a California college admissions consultant who pleaded guilty in March to charges that he facilitated the cheating and helped bribe coaches.

Actress Lori Loughlin and her fashion designer husband, Mossimo Giannulli, have pleaded not guilty to paying $500,000 in bribes to get their daughters into the University of Southern California as crew recruits even though neither of them is a rower.