NOW FOR THE BAD NEWS

From shams and scams to sex and sadness, 2019 was a scandalous year for these celebs

- Nici De Wet

SCAMS, lies, sex tapes, falls off the wagon, feuds . . . Scandals beset Hollywood once again this year – and one even came back to haunt one of the biggest stars of all time from beyond the grave.

As the year draws to a close we look at who’s licking their wounds, who’s out in the cold and whose legacy has all but been destroyed.

Felicity Huffman & Lori Loughlin

UNIVERSITY CHEATING SCANDAL

The drama The Desperate Housewives actress and Full House star were charged with being involved in a countrywide university admissions scandal that rocked the USA and stunned fans.

The actresses were among 52 people charged with taking part in a wide-ranging scheme run by a California varsity admissions consultant, in which rich parents bypassed regular processes and paid big bucks to get their kids into top universities.

Felicity (57) was accused of paying $15 000 (R225 000) to have someone correct answers on the varsity entrance test of her daughter Sophia (19).

Lori (55) was charged with paying $500 000 (R7,5 million) to have her daughters, Olivia (20) and Isabella (21), falsely listed as recruits for the rowing team – a sport they don’t practice – to get them into the University of Southern California. Outcome Felicity pleaded guilty and in October was sentenced to 14 days in jail, of which she served 11. She was also fined $30 000 (R450 000) and ordered to complete 250 hours of community service and serve a year of probation.

Lori and her husband, fashion designer Mossimo Giannulli (56), have denied any wrongdoing. They face charges of conspiracy fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering and conspiracy to commit bribery. They continue to claim they thought the money was a donation and not intentional bribery.

Scandal rating 10/10

R Kelly