Sixteen parents have been indicted with “conspiring to commit fraud and money laundering,” in connection with the college admissions scandal, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts said Tuesday.
According to the statement, the second superseding indictment “also charges the defendants with conspiring to launder the bribes and other payments in furtherance of the fraud by funneling them through Singer’s purported charity and his for-profit corporation, as well as by transferring money into the United States, from outside the United States, for the purpose of promoting the fraud scheme.”
Among those charged in the second superseding indictment are actress Lori Loughlin and her husband fashion designer, Mossimo Giannulli.
The announcement comes just a day after it was reported that actress Felicity Huffman and 13 defendants involved in the college admissions scandal “will plead guilty,” NBC News reported on Monday.
In her statement the Desperate Housewives star, who is accused of “paying $15,000 to a foundation in an effort to boost her eldest daughter’s ACT score,” said she takes full responsibility for her actions and also explained that her daughter knew nothing about her actions.
I am pleading guilty to the charge brought against me by the United States Attorney’s Office. I am in full acceptance of my guilt, and with deep regret and shame over what I have done. My daughter knew absolutely nothing about my actions, and in my misguided and profoundly wrong way, I have betrayed her. This transgression toward her and the public I will carry for the rest of my life. My desire to help my daughter is no excuse to break the law or engage in dishonesty.
NBC News Huffman’s statement.
Loughlin and her husband were not among those who agreed to a plea deal.
There is currently no scheduled court appearance for those parents facing new charges.
