Actress Felicity Huffman Sentenced to 14 Days in Jail for Part in Admissions Scandal
BLACKWELL: Oscar-nominated actress Felicity Huffman is heading to prison next month. After a tearful apology, a Boston judge handed her a 14-day sentence for taking part of the college admissions scandal.</s>WALKER: It is the largest prosecuted scheme of its kind in U.S. history, with $25 million allegedly paid by parents to get their kids into college. Huffman pleaded guilty to paying the scheme's ringleader to boost her daughter's SAT scores. CNN's Brynn Gingras has more.</s>BRYNN GINGRAS, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Felicity Huffman remained stoic when the judge handed down her decision, essentially the judge saying this wasn't about college reputations being tarnished or the test-taking process being compromised. This was about privileged kids having a leg up on other college applicants, and that's partly why she handed down the punishment she did.</s>GINGRAS: Actress Felicity Huffman sentenced to 14 days in federal prison, ordered to pay a $30,000 fine and serve 250 hours of community service. Huffman telling the court "At the end of the day I had a choice to make. I could have said no. I take full responsibility. I will accept whatever punishment you give me." In a statement released shortly after the hearing she added, quote, "I broke the law. There are no excuses or justifications for my actions, period." Prosecutors urged the judge to impose the harshest penalty, saying "Most parents have the moral compass and integrity not to step over the line. The defendant did not." Prior to today's sentencing, Huffman wrote a letter explaining how she legitimately worked with scheme's ringleader Rick Singer for a year before she agreed to cheat. Huffman allowing Singer to hire a proctor who changed answers on her oldest daughter's SAT, boosting her score. She says she considered using the services for her youngest daughter, but backed out. Huffman explaining in the letter how her poor decision damaged her relationship with her daughter. "When my daughter looked at me and asked with tears streaming down her face, why didn't you believe in me? I had no adequate answer for her. I could only say, I am was sorry. I was frightened and I was stupid." In the courtroom Huffman was joined by her husband, actor William H. Macy. He is one of 27 people who sent letters to the judge supporting the actress. Macy wrote "Huffman rarely goes outside, usually bombarded by the paparazzi." But their oldest daughter, quote, "paid the dearest price when her first-choice school denied her appropriate two days after the scandal broke. Do something. Please, please do something," Macy says she begged her parents. Huffman is the second to be sentenced but the first to get prison time in the country's largest college admissions scandal which ensnared from than 50 college coaches, administrators, and wealthy parents. Nineteen parents are still fighting the federal charges, including actress Lori Loughlin and her husband fashion designer Mossimo Giannulli. The couple are accused of paying hundreds of thousands of dollars to get their two daughters into USC as crew recruits even though neither rowed. Both turned down a plea from the state earlier this year and are scheduled to go to trial.</s>GINGRAS: And remember, those who didn't take a plea deal were handed down another charge in the case. So it will be interesting to see how the sentencing possibly could affect them in the future. Felicity Huffman, her attorneys asked that she serve her 14 days in a prison near her home in California. Of course, that will be up to the Bureau of Prisons. But she reports to that sentencing on October 25th. Brynn Gingras, CNN, in Boston.</s>BLACKWELL: There is a new threat to the Bahamas. A live report from the islands as residents still reeling from Dorian brace for a new tropical storm.</s>WALKER: Also we could be nearing a major breakthrough for children living with a peanuts allergy. What the FDA is recommending, ahead.