14-day sentence
First parent is sentenced in “Varsity Blues” case
Luke Garrett / News Editor / The USD Vista
Felicity Huffman, star of the television drama “Desperate Housewives,” was the first parent to be sentenced in the “Varsity Blues” national college admission scandal. The Friday sentence earned her 14 days in federal prison for paying $15,000 to alter her daughter’s SAT scores, the same crime Robert Flaxman, former USD parent, pled guilty to.
Both wealthy parents paid someone else to take their daughter’s entrance exams. However, Flaxman paid five times that of Huffman to increase his daughter’s ACT score from 20 to 28 out of 36 in order to ensure admission to the University of San Diego.
Huffman’s sentence may shed light on how the courts could sentence Flaxman, as the plea agreements of the two parents are strikingly similar. Huffman and Flaxman’s agreements both list a maximum sentence of 20 years for conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud. The U.S. Attorney also recommended the incarceration time be on the “low side” of the sentencing range for both parents.
Prosecutors sought a month of incarceration for the actress and argued that despite her rationale of parental fears and insecurities, Huffman’s actions were criminal and antithetical to proper parenting.
Her defense noted that the actress’ crimes were fall less severe than those committed by other parents involved, who allegedly paid up to $500,000 in bribery. Huffman earned half the prison time pursued by U.S. prosecutors, probation, 250 hours of community service and a fine of $30,000 by U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani. She must report to the Federal Bureau of Prisons on Oct. 25.
Although Flaxman paid more than Huffman, her sentencing was an indicator of how the wealthy real estate owner might defend his actions and be sentenced.
The initial Department of Justice (DOJ) indictment against Robert Flaxman concerned his son and daughter, Martin Fox, and William “Rick” Singer. According to the DOJ, Fox facilitated bribes paid for by Flaxman and allegedly received by former USD men’s basketball head coach Lamont Smith. In return for the payments, Smith allegedly designated the son and daughter of Flaxman as a basketball recruit and student manager.
On May 24, Robert Flaxman admitted to paying $75,000 to alter his daughter’s ACT score. According to the published plea agreement between Flaxman and the DOJ, no other criminal charges will be made against Flaxman in connection to the initial indictment, meaning his son will not be included in the federal prosecution of his father.
Flaxman is set to be sentenced on Oct. 18 by U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani, the same judge Huffman faced.