One of the protagonists of the "Desperate Housewives" series is expected to be sentenced to jail and a fine of about $ 15,000 on charges of fraud and corruption. It's about Felicity Huffman.
The "Desperate Housewives" star is one of dozens of defendants accused of fraud and corruption in an investigation called "Operation Varsity Blues", a scandal over college admission test results.
The actress bribed the SAT test organizers to secure her daughter, Sophia Grace Macy, college admission.
The SAT is a standard test widely used in the United States for admission to college. It aims to evaluate students' abilities to pursue further studies. Although other alternative tests apply, the SAT is one of the most preferred to secure entry to college or university.
The final decision on her case is expected to be made this Friday. Prosecutors have sought a four-month jail sentence, plus a $ 20,000 fine, while her lawyers have suggested a 250-hour community service sentence and a $ 25,000 fine.
The actress has admitted the allegations and writes in a four-page letter why she decided to corrupt her daughter's scores on the SAT test.
"I am not writing this letter in any way to justify my actions, my guilt or to avoid the consequences," she wrote. ?In my desperation to be a good mother, I thought that all I was doing would do good to my daughter. I broke the law, cheated on the education community, betrayed my daughter and failed in the family. ?
In the letter, Huffman points out that she made such a decision because, according to her, her daughter had learning disabilities. The actress adds that she consulted with William Rick Singer, the person behind the fraudulent scheme. She planned to do the same with her second daughter, Georgia Grace Macy, who also does not have good schooling skills, but gave up.
"I honestly don't care about my daughter going to a prestigious college," she said, "I just wanted to give her a hand in pursuing some acting program, which is her talent."
She adds, "I didn't want the girl to be demoralized and give up her dreams simply because she is not good at math." Among other things, Huffman describes the moment the scandal went public and the girl was discovered. With tears in her eyes, her daughter said - ?Why didn't you believe in me? Why did you think I wouldn't get it? "
The actress concludes the letter by writing that "she will accept whatever punishment the court thinks is appropriate".
