CNN: Felicity Huffman To Be Sentenced Today in College Admissions Scandal

‘Today, Felicity Huffman will have one more chance to ask a judge to spare her prison time’

EXCERPT:

GINGRAS (voice-over): "Today, Felicity Huffman will have one more chance to ask a judge to spare her prison time. The award-winning actress admitting and apologizing for her involvement in the nationwide college admissions scandal. In a letter sent to the judge prior to today’s sentencing, Huffman wrote, 'I have a deep and abiding shame over what I have done. Shame and regret that I will carry for the rest of my life.' Huffman admits to paying the mastermind of the scandal, Rick Singer, $15,000 to alter her oldest daughter’s test scores. In that same memo, she explains how she worked with Singer legitimately for a year on her daughter’s college application process before saying 'Yes' to the cheating scheme. It’s a decision she says has damaged her relationship with her daughter. Quote, 'When my daughter looked at me and asked with tears streaming down her face, 'Why didn’t you believe in me?' I could only say, 'I’m sorry, I was frightened and stupid.'' The actress is the second person to be sentenced in the scandal that broke in March, resulting in the arrest of more than 50 people, including college coaches, administrators, and wealthy parents. More than a dozen of the parents struck plea deals with the federal government on a single fraud charge. In June, former Stanford sailing coach John Vandemoer received no prison time for his role in the scheme after the judge in that case determined there were no victims since he didn’t pocket any money exchanged. The prosecution believes Huffman should spend a month behind bars and pay a $20,000 fine, setting a tone that the privileged aren’t above the law. U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling wrote in a filing, quote, 'Home confinement would be a penological joke, conjuring images of defendants padding around impressive homes until the end of curfew; probation with community service is too lenient and too easily co-opted for its PR value; and a fine is meaningless for defendants wealthy enough to commit this crime in the first place.' Huffman’s attorneys are asking for one year probation, community service, a fine, and no prison time. Today’s sentencing may also have future implications on those who are fighting the charges, like actress Lori Loughlin, who is accused of paying hundreds of thousands of dollars to get her two daughters admitted to USC as crew recruits."

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