Felicity Huffman holds tight to William H Macy while couple returns to court ahead of trial with actress facing five years in prison for college cheating scandal

• Felicity Huffman and her husband William H Macy held hands as they walked into the federal courthouse in Los Angeles on Friday
• The couple were not accompanied by their lawyer and appeared to be there to review Huffman’s bail conditions or for a closed 10am hearing
• Macy has yet to be indicted in the case dubbed Operation Varsity Blues, but court documents allege he was aware of his wife’s plot 
• Huffman had allegedly facilitated where and when her older daughter would be taking an SAT that would then be falsified 
• Huffman also agreed to and sent a $15,000 wire payment to a charity to pay off the proctor after this, according to court documents 
• Macy was involved in the younger daughter’s test who did not need the help in the end, making it hard to substantiate a mail fraud charge

William H Macy and Felicity Huffman were seen heading back to federal court on Friday, three days after the pair found themselves embroiled in Operation Varsity Blues. 

The Oscar-nominated couple were not accompanied by their attorney as they headed into the courthouse, three days after Huffman was indicted on a single charge of mail fraud in Operation Varsity Blues.

It seemed that the two were likely checking in on the conditions of Huffman’s bond, with the court not showing any appearance for either, although there was a 10am hearing that was closed to the public.

Macy was not indicted in the college admission scheme, but he could still find himself in hot water with prosecutors since he was aware of the plan according to phone conversations detailed in the complaint. 

Scroll down for video 

Linked: Felicity Huffman and her husband William H Macy (above) held hands as they walked into the federal courthouse in Los Angeles on Friday

Checking things out: The couple were not accompanied by their lawyer and appeared to be there to review Huffman’s bail conditions or for a closed 10am hearing

A civil action: Macy has yet to be indicted in the case dubbed Operation Varsity Blues, but court documents allege he was aware of his wife’s plot 

Support system: Huffman had allegedly facilitated where and when her older daughter would be taking an SAT that would then be falsified 

Legal woes: Huffman paid a $15,000 ‘charitable contribution ‘to participate in the college entrance exam cheating scheme on behalf of her eldest daughter,’ states the complaint

Federal documents show that while Huffman worked alone to iron out the details when the couple’s first daughter had her SAT changed by a proctor to improve her score, Macy was aware of the situation and the payment came from the couple’s joint account.

He in turn took a more active role in organizing the younger daughter’s fradulent SAT, agreeing to the money and a set place and time much like his wife had done one year prior with their other child.

• 
  College co-fled: Lori Loughlin’s daughter Olivia Jade…

  
  Axed man: Bryan Singer is fired from Red Sonja reboot after…

  
  Bono’s partner in socially responsible investment firm is…

  
  Kevin Spacey and his legal counsel are spotted leaving…

Share this article

In that case however, the couple’s daughter achieved the results she had hoped for on her own and the mastermind behind the operation was informed that she would not be needing to submit a fraudulent score. 

This does not mean Macy will not be charged down the line in the case.

That would explain why Macy was not identified by name in court documents filed Tuesday and instead referred to as Huffman’s spouse. 

Huffman paid a $15,000 ‘charitable contribution ‘to participate in the college entrance exam cheating scheme on behalf of her eldest daughter,’ states the complaint. 

‘Huffman later made arrangements to pursue the scheme a second time, for her younger daughter, before deciding not to do so,’ according to the documents.

The charging documents state that Huffman had the site where he daughter took the SATs moved from her own high school to a test center West Hollywood.

United front: Huffman brought along a notebook for her trip to court (above)

The pair looked glum as they drove home later after the court appearance

Desperate housewife: Huffman (above on Tuesday) also sent a $15,000 wire payment to a charity to pay off the proctor,  according to court documents

That was to avoid a teacher who knew the girl, who had also applied for and received extended time to take the test, from being present.

The girl’s test was then administered by a proctor who had flown in from Tampa and told investigators that he ‘facilitated cheating, either by correcting the student’s answers after the test or by actively assisting the student during the exam.’

That proctor, Mark Ridell, has also been charged. 

In this case, Huffman’s daughter scored a 1420, which was a 400 point improvement from her PSAT results just one year prior. 

Soon after the proctor was paid $40,000 by Key Worldwide Foundation, the same organization that Huffman would later give a $15,000 donation to, according to the documents. 

The way they were: Macy was involved in the younger daughter’s test, and agreed to a plan similar to the one his wife employed with their other daughter

Macy is seen driving his wife Huffman home from the court appearance in Los Angeles 

Huffman paid a $15,000 ‘charitable contribution ‘to participate in the college entrance exam cheating scheme, according to the complaint

The documents also include the transcript of a phone call between Huffman and the individual who facilitated the test in which she admits that her older daughter had assistance and expresses her desire for her younger daughter to get similar help. 

In a follow up call just this past December, Huffman and her unnamed spouse spoke about their daughter wanting to get into Georgetown.

It was then decided that the young girl would take the exam twice, once on her own and once with help, to ensure she got the score necessary to get her into Georgetown, it is claimed.

Then, at the last second, the couple decided not to have their daughter take the test with assistance. 

Macy appeared in court on Tuesday afternoon to support his wife, and was seen arriving with a lawyer.   

Source: Read Full Article