Felicity Huffman on college admissions scandal: ‘I had to give my daughter a chance at a future’
By Orange County on December 1, 2023
Actress Felicity Huffman has opened up about her role in a college admissions scandal that landed her in federal prison, telling CNN affiliate KABC that “it felt like I had to give my daughter a chance at a future … which meant I had to break the law.”
The Emmy-winning “Desperate Housewives” star was among 33 wealthy parents arrested in Operation Varsity Blues and accused of conspiring to get their children into college.
She was accused of paying $15,000 to the scam’s mastermind to raise her daughter’s SAT scores. She pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud.
“And I know hindsight is 20/20 but it felt like I would be a bad mother if I didn’t do it,” Huffman told KABC on Thursday. “So – I did it.”
Huffman told KABC she is ashamed of what she did, and she apologized to “the students and the families that sacrifice and work really hard to get to where they are going legitimately.”
Huffman was accused of paying $15,000 to the scam’s mastermind to raise her daughter’s SAT scores. She pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud.
“And I know hindsight is 20/20 but it felt like I would be a bad mother if I didn’t do it,” Huffman told KABC. “So – I did it.”
FILE — In this Friday, Sept. 13, 2019, file photo, Felicity Huffman leaves federal court in Boston with her brother Moore Huffman Jr., background left, after she was sentenced in a nationwide college admissions bribery scandal. Twenty one parents, including Huffman, have admitted to paying bribes to have someone cheat on their children’s entrance exams or pretend their kids were star athletes for sports they didn’t play. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File)
FILE – This Sept. 13, 2019 file photo shows actress Felicity Huffman, center, leaving federal court after she was sentenced in a nationwide college admissions bribery scandal in Boston. A representative for Huffman says she reported to a federal prison in California to serve a two-week sentence on Tuesday, Oct. 15. Last month a federal judge in Boston sentenced Huffman to 14 days in prison, a $30,000 fine, 250 hours of community service and a year’s probation after she pleaded guilty to fraud conspiracy for paying an admissions consultant $15,000 to have a proctor correct her daughter’s SAT answers. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File)
FILE – This Sept. 13, 2019 file photo shows actress Felicity Huffman leaving federal court after her sentencing in a nationwide college admissions bribery scandal in Boston. A representative for Huffman says she reported to a federal prison in California to serve a two-week sentence on Tuesday, Oct. 15. Last month a federal judge in Boston sentenced Huffman to 14 days in prison, a $30,000 fine, 250 hours of community service and a year’s probation after she pleaded guilty to fraud conspiracy for paying an admissions consultant $15,000 to have a proctor correct her daughter’s SAT answers. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File)
Felicity Huffman leaves federal court with her husband William H. Macy after she was sentenced in a nationwide college admissions bribery scandal, Friday, Sept. 13, 2019, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Actress Felicity Huffman leaves federal court accompanied by her brother, Moore Huffman Jr., center, after her sentencing in a nationwide college admissions bribery scandal, Friday, Sept. 13, 2019, in Boston. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Felicity Huffman arrives at federal court with her husband William H. Macy for sentencing in a nationwide college admissions bribery scandal, Friday, Sept. 13, 2019, in Boston. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
FILE – In this Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2014 file photo,Felicity Huffman, from left, writer/director William H. Macy and Eva Longoria arrive at the Los Angeles VIP screening of “Rudderless” at The Vista Theater. Felicity Huffman and her lawyers pleaded Friday, Sept. 6, 2019 for probation, community service and a fine instead of jail time for her role in the college admissions scandal, buoyed by letters of support from her famous husband, William H. Macy, and her “Desperate Housewives” co-star Eva Longoria.(Photo by Dan Steinberg/Invision/AP, File)
FILE – This April 3, 2019 file photo shows actress Felicity Huffman departing federal court in Boston after facing charges in a nationwide college admissions bribery scandal. Federal prosecutors are asking a judge to sentence “Desperate Housewives” star Felicity Huffman to a month in jail for her role in the sweeping college admissions bribery scandal. (AP Photos/Charles Krupa, File)
Felicity Huffman, center, departs federal court with her brother Moore Huffman Jr., left, Monday, May 13, 2019, in Boston, where she pleaded guilty to charges in a nationwide college admissions bribery scandal. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Felicity Huffman arrives with her brother Moore Huffman Jr., at federal court Monday, May 13, 2019, in Boston, where she is scheduled to plead guilty to charges in a nationwide college admissions bribery scandal. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
This combination photo shows actress Felicity Huffman, from left, actress Lori Loughlin and her husband, clothing designer Mossimo Giannulli, outside federal court in Boston on Wednesday, April 3, 2019, where they faced charges in a nationwide college admissions bribery scandal. (AP Photos/Charles Krupa, Steven Senne)
FILE – This Sept. 17, 2017 file photo shows actress Felicity Huffman at the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles. Huffman and Lori Loughlin have worked steadily as respected actresses and remained recognizable if not-quite-A-list names for decades.
Neither has ever had a whiff of criminality or scandal tied to their name until both were charged with fraud and conspiracy Tuesday along with dozens of others in a scheme that according to federal prosecutors saw wealthy parents pay bribes to get their children into some of the nation’s top colleges. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)
FILE – In this Sept. 17, 2018 file photo, Felicity Huffman, left, and William H. Macy arrive at the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles. Huffman and Lori Loughlin were charged along with nearly 50 other people Tuesday, March 12, 2019, in a scheme in which wealthy parents bribed college coaches and insiders at testing centers to help get their children into some of the most elite schools in the country, federal prosecutors said. Court papers said a cooperating witness met with Huffman and Macy, at their Los Angeles home and explained the scam to them. The cooperator told investigators that Huffman and her spouse “agreed to the plan.” (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)
Felicity Huffman, left, and William H. Macy arrive at the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. (Photo by Danny Moloshok/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Images)
Felicity Huffman, left, and William H. Macy arrive at the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. (Photo by Willy Sanjuan/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Images)
EXCLUSIVE – Felicity Huffman arrives at the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. (Photo by Dan Steinberg/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Images)
William H. Macy, left, and Felicity Huffman attend the Showtime Emmy Eve Party at Chateau Marmont on Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)
Felicity Huffman speaks at the ceremony honoring Eva Longoria with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Monday, April 16, 2018, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP)
Eva Longoria, from left, Marc Cherry and Felicity Huffman pose following a ceremony honoring Eva Longoria with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Monday, April 16, 2018, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP)
Felicity Huffman, left, and William H. Macy arrive at the Los Angeles premiere of “Krystal” at ArcLight Hollywood on Thursday, April 5, 2018. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Felicity Huffman, left, and William H. Macy arrive at the Los Angeles premiere of “Krystal” at ArcLight Hollywood on Thursday, April 5, 2018. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Felicity Huffman introduces the in memoriam tribute at the 24th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium & Expo Hall on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Invision/AP)
William H. Macy, left, and Felicity Huffman arrive at the 24th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium & Expo Hall on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Felicity Huffman at the Backstage Creations Giving Suite benefitting the Television Academy Foundation Educational Programs at the 69th Emmy Awards at the Microsoft Theatre L.A. Live on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Los Angeles.(Photo by Willy Sanjuan/Invision for Backstage Creations/AP Images)
William H. Macy, from left, Sue Wong, and Felicity Huffman arrive at the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. (Photo by Eric Jamison/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Images)
Felicity Huffman, left, and William H. Macy arrive at the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)
Felicity Huffman arrives at the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Felicity Huffman (left) and William H. Macy arrive at the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. (Photo by Al Powers/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Images)
EXCLUSIVE – Felicity Huffman arrives at the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. (Photo by Dan Steinberg/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Images)
EXCLUSIVE – William H. Macy, left, and Felicity Huffman arrive at the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. (Photo by Dan Steinberg/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Images)
Actor William H. Macy, right, poses with his wife, actress Felicity Huffman, at the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards Performers Nominee Reception at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on Friday, Sept. 15, 2017, in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Actress Felicity Huffman poses at the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards Performers Nominee Reception at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on Friday, Sept. 15, 2017, in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
IMAGE DISTRIBUTED FOR THE TELEVISION ACADEMY – Felicity Huffman, from left, Geoffrey Rush, and William H. Macy are seen at the 2017 Performers Nominee Reception Presented by the Television Academy at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on Friday, Sept. 15, 2017, in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Images)
Felicity Huffman, left, and William H. Macy attend the THR and SAG-AFTRA Nominees Night at the Waldorf Astoria on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017, in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)
Felicity Huffman arrives at the 23rd annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium & Expo Hall on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
William H. Macy, left, and Felicity Huffman arrive at the 23rd annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium & Expo Hall on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Felicity Huffman arrives at the InStyle and Warner Bros. Golden Globes afterparty at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Sunday, Jan. 8, 2017, in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)
Felicity Huffman, left, and William H. Macy arrive at the 22nd annual Critics’ Choice Awards at the Barker Hangar on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, in Santa Monica, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Actress Felicity Huffman poses at The Hollywood Reporter’s 25th Annual Women in Entertainment Breakfast at MILK Studios on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2016, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Actresses Felicity Huffman, left, and Eva Longoria pose together at The Hollywood Reporter’s 25th Annual Women in Entertainment Breakfast at MILK Studios on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2016, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Felicity Huffman, left, and William H. Macy arrive at the 68th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. (Photo by Danny Moloshok/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Images)
Felicity Huffman arrives at the Performers Nominee Reception presented by the Television Academy at the Pacific Design Center on Friday, Sept. 16, 2016, in West Hollywood, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Images)
Benito Martinez, left, and Felicity Huffman arrives at the Television Academy’s Performers Emmy Celebration at the Montage Beverly Hills on Monday, Aug. 22, 2016. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Images)
Felicity Huffman arrives at the 68th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. (Photo by Danny Moloshok/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Images)
IMAGE DISTRIBUTED FOR THE TELEVISION ACADEMY – Felicity Huffman, left, and Regina King attend the Television Academys Performers Nominee Reception with drinks by World Class on Friday, Sept. 16, 2016, at the Pacific Design Center in Los Angeles. (Photo by Phil McCarten/Invision for The Television Academy/AP Images)
Felicity Huffman, left, and William H. Macy pose at the 68th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. (Photo by Rich Fury/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Images)
Huffman said she had second thoughts as she drove her daughter to take the test.
“She was going, ‘Can we get ice cream afterwards? I’m scared about the test. What can we do that’s fun?’” Huffman said. “And I kept thinking, turn around, just turn around. And to my undying shame, I didn’t.”
Promoting ‘A New Way of Life’
Huffman performed her community service with a non-profit organization called A New Way of Life. It helps women who have been incarcerated with housing, clothing and job training.
“Well, I thought we would bring her in and put her at a desk and have her work in the office. And she said, ‘No, I want to do real work,’” founder Susan Burton said. “She went jogging down Central Avenue in South LA and created exercise classes for the women.”
Huffman also helped the group organize its donations, Burton said. She has now joined the organization’s board of directors.
“I want to use my experience and what I’ve gone through and the pain to bring something good, which is to shine a light on the organization,” Huffman said.
“Felicity Huffman is one of the most beautiful people I’ve met in my lifetime,” Burton said. “And I know she has had a hiccup. But it’s not the hiccup – it’s how you come through the hiccup.”
CNN has reached out to a representative for Huffman for further comment.
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