In a report released earlier this week, over 40 individuals were arrested in connection to an alleged college admissions scandal that is being referred to Operation Varsity Blues. Amongst those elite listed in the arrest were actress Felicity Huffman and the husband of actress Lori Loughlin.
On Tuesday, it was reported that actress Felicity Huffman would be released on a $250,000 bail after being arrested and charged for her part in the scam.
As reported by FOX News:
After a frenzied few hours in which federal authorities made several high profile arrests — and outlined a top-secret investigation into an alleged scam involving rich and famous clients paying millions to a network of counselors and coaches to ensure their privileged children be granted admission to some of the country’s most prestigious colleges — a judge said on Tuesday that jailed actress Felicity Huffman, accused of paying a bribe to help get her daughter into a top school, was eligible for release on $250,000 bond.
A magistrate judge also ordered on Tuesday that the “Desperate Housewives” alum restrict her travel to the continental United States.
Court documents said Huffman, 54, paid $15,000, which she disguised as a charitable donation, so her daughter could take part in the college entrance-exam cheating scam.The documents stated that a cooperating witness met with Huffman and her husband, actor William H. Macy, at their Los Angeles home and explained to them that he “controlled” a testing center and could have someone secretly change her daughter’s answers. The person told investigators the couple agreed to the plan.The judge asked Huffman: “I’m not asking you to admit or deny the charges against you but do you understand what the government claims you did?” She replied: “Yes.”
Prosecutors say parents were advised to have a therapist diagnose their child with a learning disability. THEN, that would allow kid to get extra time, in private setting, to take exam. That’s where the cheating took place. #collegescam
— T.J. Holmes (@tjholmes) March 12, 2019
Also among the 13 defendants appearing in court on Tuesday was “Fuller House” star Loughlin’s famed fashion designer husband, Mossimo Giannulli.The judge ruled Giannulli will be released on a $1 million dollar bond, securing the couple’s home as bond. Giannulli’s attorney said part of the reason they came to this agreement was with the hopes that Loughlin, also indicted in the case, would receive the same bond deal as well as be allowed to travel to Vancouver. The judge also ordered that Giannulli restrict his travel to the continental United States.
Loughlin, who did not appear in court on Tuesday, reportedly has been filming a movie in Vancouver. According to multiple reports, the actress landed at LAX on Tuesday during the court hearing.
A rep for Loughlin did not respond to Fox News’ request for comment.
There’s possibly a kid out there who wasn’t admitted to his/her dream school because their spot was taken by another kid whose momma and daddy made a 6-figure bribe. #collegescam #OperationVarsityBlues
— T.J. Holmes (@tjholmes) March 12, 2019
Over at The Daily Caller, it was reported:
Multiple FBI agents were deployed to arrest Felicity Huffman early Tuesday morning, and they apparently did it at gunpoint.
Huffman, Lori Loughlin and dozens of other people were charged for allegedly participating in a college admission bribery scheme. The former “Desperate Housewives” star was charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud.
Huffman is specifically accused of faking charitable contributions in order to gain her daughter admission into an unknown college, and the star actress’ arrest sounds like it was something straight out of the movies.
Okay, I’m not going to condone what Loughlin, Huffman and many other allegedly did, but this seems like overkill.
Seven FBI agents with their guns drawn? Are you kidding me? She’s one Hollywood actress, and she’s married to another very famous man. I highly doubt she was planning to open fire with a SAW as agents advanced on her position. Give me a break. Using seven agents with their guns drawn ready to blast away is absurd.
The name of the DOJ sting…OPERATION: VARSITY BLUES. #collegescam
— T.J. Holmes (@tjholmes) March 12, 2019
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