Fifty people were charged on Tuesday with bribing prestigious colleges and universities in the United States so that their children could get into college. Hollywood stars Felicity Huffman (56) and Lori Loughlin (54) are among the dozens of celebrities and wealthy parents. American authorities called it the largest fraud ever prosecuted by the U.S. Justice Department, with the parents accused of paying an estimated $25 million in bribes.
At least 9 sports coaches and 33 wealthy parents, many of whom were prominent in the law, finance, fashion, and food and beverage industries, have been charged with bribery. Dozens of them, including Huffman, an Emmy winner for her role as Lynette Scavo in the TV series Desperate Housewives, were arrested at midday.
The New York Times published the full list of names. Huffman and Loughlin and her husband, fashion designer Mossimo Giannulli, are there. U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling described the accused parents as a “catalog of wealth and privilege.”
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Felicity Huffman appeared in a Los Angeles courtroom Tuesday afternoon. Judge Alexander F. MacKinnon set her bail at $250,000. Huffman's husband, William H. Macy, who was not charged, sat front row in court.
"Full House" actress Lori Loughlin was not in court, but her husband Mossimo Giannulli's bail was set at $1 million. As soon as he paid the sum, he could go home.
Felicity Huffman and Mossimo Giannulli's next court date is scheduled for March 29 in Boston. Both had to surrender their passports in court and are therefore not allowed to travel outside the USA.
