(NBC News) A large-scale scheme to cheat on college entrance exams has been busted by the FBI and federal prosecutors in Boston. The scheme resulted in the indictment of over 40 people, including two well-known Hollywood actresses.
NBC News reports that the alleged scheme was aimed at getting students admitted to elite universities as recruited athletes, regardless of their athletic abilities, and helping potential students cheat on their college exams, according to the indictment.
Racketeering conspiracy charges were also brought against the coaches at schools including Wake Forest University, Georgetown and the University of Southern California.
The plot involved students who attended or were seeking to attend Georgetown University, Stanford University, UCLA, the University of San Diego, USC, University of Texas, Wake Forest, and Yale, according to federal prosecutors.
There’s no indication that the schools were involved in any of the wrong-doing.
NBC reports that actress Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin have been indicted in the scheme.
BREAKING / NBC NEWS: Hollywood actresses Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin are two of over 40 people charged in the college exam scheme, according to court documents.
They are charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud. https://t.co/vLfjUuOpHA
— Tom Winter (@Tom_Winter) March 12, 2019