Felicity Huffman, Lori Loughlin mocked outside court over university admissions scandal

Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin have been heckled after facing court alongside other wealthy parents over the college bribery scandal that has rocked Hollywood.

Hollywood stars Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin have faced federal court alongside other wealthy parents to face charges in the college bribery scandal that has rocked the world of admissions and reiterated complaints the system is stacked in favor of the rich.

The two actresses and Loughlin’s fashion designer husband, Mossimo Giannulli, said little during the brief hearing in a packed Boston courtroom and were not asked to enter a plea. They remain free on bail. Several other parents were given similar hearings of a few minutes each.

Lori Loughlin and Mossimo Giannulli (wearing the green tie) leave the John Joseph Moakley US Courthouse in Boston. Picture: Getty Images

In bizarre scenes, the stars were mocked outside court by bystanders holding signs that jokingly asked Loughlin to pay their college tuition fees.

The proceedings came three weeks after 50 people were charged with taking part in a scheme in which parents bribed coaches and helped rig test scores to get their children into some of the nation’s most selective universities, including Yale, Stanford, Georgetown and the University of Southern California. It was the biggest college admissions scheme ever prosecuted by the US Justice Department.

Felicity Huffman attended the hearing with her brother. Her husband William H. Macy was absent. Picture: Getty Images

Loughlin, 54, who starred in the 1980s and ‘90s sitcom Full House, is accused along with Giannulli of paying $500,000 to get their daughters admitted as recruits to the USC crew team, even though neither is a rower. Authorities said the couple helped create fake athletic profiles for their daughters by having them pose for photos on rowing machines.

The Hallmark Channel, where Loughlin starred in popular holiday movies and the series When Calls the Heart, cut ties with her a day after her arrest.

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The stars arrived to bizarre scenes outside the Boston court. Picture: Getty Images

Mackenzie Thomas and Vivi Bonomie hold signs mocking Lori Loughlin outside the courthouse.

Huffman, the 56-year-old former Desperate Housewives star, is charged with paying the admissions consultant at the center of the scheme $15,000 to have a proctor correct the answers on her daughter’s SAT.

Huffman, Loughlin and Giannulli have not publicly addressed the allegations. They and others are charged with conspiracy and fraud, which carries up to 20 years in prison. But first-time offenders typically get only a fraction of that, and experts said some parents may avoid prison if they quickly agree to plead guilty.

Other parents charged in the case include the former co-chairman of an international law firm and the former head of a Silicon Valley venture capital firm.

Actress Lori Loughlin smiles as she exits the courthouse after facing charges for allegedly conspiring to commit mail fraud and other charges in the college admissions scandal. Picture: Joseph Prezioso / AFP

Actress Felicity Huffman enters court in Boston with her brother. Picture: AFP

Actress Felicity Huffman departs federal court. Picture: Charles Krupa/AP

Three people have pleaded guilty, including the admissions consultant, Rick Singer, and the former women’s soccer coach at Yale, Rudy Meredith. The case set off a furor over the feverish competition to get into college and the lengths to which status-seeking parents will go.

Actress Lori Loughlin arrives at federal court in Boston. Picture: AP

Many complained that the playing field has long been uneven, with wealthy students enjoying the advantages of private schools, tutors, test-preparation coaches, admissions consultants and big donations to colleges from their parents.

Loughlin smiled as she walked out of the courthouse and climbed into a black SUV with her lawyers. A fan shouted, “I love you, Felicity!” as Huffman emerged from the courthouse with her brother.

Lori Loughlin snapped by a fan outside a Boston court. Picture: Facebook

Huffman arrived at the courthouse late on Wednesday, three hours before the hearing was scheduled to begin. She was not accompanied by her husband, William H. Macy, instead holding hands with her brother.

Lori Loughlin with daughters Olivia Jade Giannulli, left, and Isabella Rose Giannulli. Picture: AFP

Asked how she was holding up as she entered court, Loughlin replied “I’m great”.

“How are you?” she added while patting a reporter on the arm.

Loughlin and Giannulli’s daughter, social media star Olivia Jade Giannulli, was dropped from advertising deals with cosmetics retailer Sephora and hair products company TRESemme.

Actress Lori Loughlin (C) arrives at the court to appear before Judge M. Page Kelley to face charge for allegedly conspiring to commit mail fraud. Picture: AFP

Felicity Huffman, centre, in a scene from Desperate Housewives with Teri Hatcher and Eva Longoria. Picture: ABC