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William Singer admits running $25 million college bribery scam

Photo: Scott Eisen/Getty Images

William "Rick" Singer, the alleged $25 million college entrance bribery scheme ringleader, pleaded guilty Tuesday to federal charges of racketeering conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy and obstruction of justice.

Details: "Full House" actress Lori Loughlin and "Desperate Housewives" star Felicity Huffman are among at least 50 people charged over the scheme helping students cheat on entrance exams and getting non-athletic students admitted on fake athletic scholarships. NBC News reports Singer wore a wire to expose the scandal. The Californian Edge College & Career Network’s founder told Boston federal court he was responsible for the scam. “I put everything in place," he said. "I put all the people in place and made the payments directly.”

What's next? Singer was released on $500,000 security and is due to be sentenced on June 19. Huffman, who had bond set at $250,000, is due to appear in court again March 29. Her actor husband, William H. Macy, has not been charged.

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Photo illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios. Photo: Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images

Beginning on election night 2020 and continuing through his final days in office, Donald Trump unraveled and dragged America with him, to the point that his followers sacked the U.S. Capitol with two weeks left in his term. This Axios series takes you inside the collapse of a president.

Episode 2: Trump stops buying what his professional staff are telling him, and increasingly turns to radical voices telling him what he wants to hear.

President Trump plunked down in an armchair in the White House residence, still dressed from his golf game — navy fleece, black pants, white MAGA cap. It was Saturday, Nov. 7. The networks had just called the election for Joe Biden.

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Fringe right plots new attacks out of sight

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

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Why it matters: Because law enforcement was caught flat-footed during last week's Capitol siege, researchers and intelligence agencies are paying more attention to online threats that could turn into real-world violence.

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Kids’ screen time up 50% during pandemic

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

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Why it matters: For most parents, pre-pandemic expectations around screen time are no longer realistic. The concern now has shifted from the number of hours in front of screens to the quality of screen time.

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