Desperate Housewives star Felicity Huffman has pleaded guilty to participating in a college admissions cheating scheme in the US.
The 56-year-old actress entered the plea on Monday to a charge of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud and could face a jail term of up to 10 months.
She is the biggest name to plead guilty in a scandal, which has exposed the lengths to which some wealthy parents will go to get their children into top universities.
The Emmy-winning actress could face prison time after she admitted participating in the nationwide scam, in which authorities say parents bribed coaches, rigged entrance exams or both to game the admissions system.
Huffman pleaded guilty in federal court to paying an admissions consultant $15,000 (£11,570) to have a proctor correct her older daughter's answers on the SAT.
She also considered going through with the plan for her younger daughter before ultimately deciding not to, authorities had said.
Huffman arrived at court holding the hand of her brother Moore Huffman Jr and did not say anything to journalists.
In court, she wore a grey dress and a sweater, and sat flanked by her attorneys while her brother watched from the front row.
Her husband actor William H Macy did not attend.
She stood with her hands clasped in front of her and responded "yes, your honour" when asked whether she understood the charges.
Sentencing was set for September 13.
Prosecutors are seeking four to 10 months behind bars.
Because she agreed to plead guilty, prosecutors said they would recommend four months in prison but the judge could also choose not to put her behind bars at all.
Huffman apologised in a statement last month and said she will accept the consequences.
She said she "betrayed" her 18-year-old daughter, who she said was not aware of her plan.
"This transgression toward her and the public I will carry for the rest of my life," Huffman said.
"My desire to help my daughter is no excuse to break the law or engage in dishonesty."
Investigators have said Macy, 69, was with her when admissions consultant Rick Singer explained how he could arrange for the cheating because he "controlled" a test centre.
Both Huffman and Macy agreed to the plan, authorities say but Macy has not been charged. Prosecutors have not explained why.
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