California Couple Pleads Guilty In College Admissions Scam

BOSTON (CBS/AP) – A California real estate developer and his wife pleaded guilty Wednesday in the college admissions bribery scandal in federal court in Boston.

Bruce and Davina Isackson, of Hillsborough, California, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud in the scam. Bruce Isackson also pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering and one count of conspiracy to defraud the IRS.

Both are cooperating with the investigation for the chance at a lighter sentence. They paid $600,000 in shares of stock to get their daughters into USC and the UCLA. The couple paid an admissions consultant to get their two daughters into the schools for sports they didn't play. They also paid to boost one of the girl's entrance exam scores.

They did not speak to reporters at court Wednesday.

"We have worked cooperatively with the prosecutors and will continue to do so as we take full responsibility for our bad judgment," the Isacksons said in a statement last month. Their attorneys declined to comment.

They will be sentenced July 31.

The couple could tell investigators about other school officials or coaches who might have been in on the scheme, experts say. Their testimony could also make it more difficult for parents to argue they didn't know what consultant Rick Singer was doing with their money or were duped by him.

Fourteen parents, including actress Felicity Huffman, have agreed to plead guilty. Huffman, the Emmy-winning star of "Desperate Housewives," is scheduled to appear in Boston federal court May 13 to admit to charges she paid $15,000 to have someone rig her daughter's SAT score.

(© Copyright 2019 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)