Nate Raymond

BOSTON, (Reuters) – A former University of Southern California senior athletic director has pleaded guilty to participating a massive fraud and bribery scheme which allowed children of wealthy parents to be admitted as fake athletes recruits.

Donna Heinel was to be in Boston this month to stand trial in the second case arising out of the U.S. college admissions controversy. Prosecutors announced that she will instead plead guilty for honest services wire fraud.

Prosecutors allege that she paid William “Rick,” the California college admissions advisor, bribes in return for her designation of his client’s children as athletes recruits.

Two fathers, Gamal Aziz, a former casino executive, and John Wilson, a founder of private equity firm, were convicted at the beginning of their trial over the scheme to pay for the college admissions of their children.

Heinel, in a plea agreement, agreed to not appeal any sentence less than 46 months and to forfeit $160,000

Nina Marino her lawyer said that she did the “honorable thing.”

Heinel is one of the 57 persons charged in Operation Varsity Blues. This investigation ensnared celebrity business leaders and revealed inequalities at U.S. universities.

Singer was convicted in 2019 of facilitating cheating at college entrance exams, and funneling funds from parents to corrupt university officials and coaches to obtain admission for their children as fake athletes.

408 people, including Lori Loughlin from Full House and Felicity Hufman of Desperate Housewives, have already pled guilty.

Prosecutors stated that Singer’s clients made payments of more than $1.3 Million to USC accounts between 2014 and 2018. Heinel was the one who designated them. Singer also benefited professionally from this money.

Prosecutors stated that Singer also paid Heinel $20,000 per monthly starting in 2017. Heinel helped facilitate the admission of nearly two dozen students.