Hollywood stars charged over $25m university places scam
HOLLYWOOD actors, financial titans and industry giants were arrested yesterday in relation to a $25 million (£19million) scam to bribe their children’s way into elite US universities.
Oscar-nominated Felicity Huffman, star of Desperate Housewives, and sitcom star Lori Loughlin were among 33 parents who may face up to 20 years in prison if prosecuted and convicted.
None of those named responded to requests for comment.
They are accused of paying bribes of up to $6million to secure admission to top universities for their children.
With the help of exam administrators and athletics coaches, the parents are alleged to have arranged for their child’s entrance exam to be completed by someone else, or corrected, or else they would claim their child was a sporting prodigy who should be given a place due to their athletic prowess.
The mastermind of the scam, William Singer, yesterday pleaded guilty in Boston to racketeering, money laundering, conspiracy to defraud and obstruction of justice. He allegedly arranged to stage photographs “proving” the children’s sporting skills.
A sailing coach at Stanford University, John Vandemoer, 41, also pleaded guilty yesterday and was fired from the university. He admitted agreeing to hold admission spots for two applicants falsely portrayed as competitive sailors, in exchange for $270,000 in payments to the sailing programme.
Rudolph “Rudy” Meredith, who resigned as head coach of Yale women’s football team after 24 years, faces fraud charges related to the scheme.
Andrew Lelling, the US attorney for Massachusetts, said it was the largest college admission fraud ever uncovered, resulting in almost 50 arrests in six states. He described the 33 parents as “a catalogue of wealth and privilege”.
“There can be no separate admissions programme for the wealthy, and there will be no separate criminal justice system either,” said Mr Lelling.
Among those charged are multiple financiers, including Bill Mcglashan, a $13 billion asset management firm founder; Miami developer Robert Zangrillo; California dentist Homayoun Zadeh; and Nevada gaming executive Gamal Abdelaziz.
Ms Loughlin and her husband, the fashion designer Mossimo Giannuli, are accused of paying $500,000 to have their two daughters taken on to the University of Southern California rowing team – although neither can row. Loughlin’s representatives told The Telegraph they did not wish to comment.
Huffman’s elder daughter had a university place secured through a $15,000 “donation” to Singer’s charitable foundation, court documents allege.
Huffman’s husband, the actor William H Macy, attended court but was not charged. Authorities did not disclose why Huffman’s representatives did not respond to a request for comment. None of the students are listed in the indictment.
‘There can be no separate admissions programme for the wealthy, and there will be no separate criminal justice system either’