Felicity Huffman Was Sentenced to 14 Days in Prison for Her Involvement in the College Admissions Scandal
UPDATED, Oct. 15 at 1:15 p.m. : Despite earlier reports that Huffman's sentence would begin on Oct. 25, the actress reported to the Federal Correctional Institution in Dublin, California on Oct. 15.
Felicity Huffman and her husband, actor William H. Macy, presented a united front as they arrived at a federal courthouse in Boston for a sentencing hearing regarding Huffman's involvement in the nationwide college admissions scandal.
The actress, dressed in a solid black sheath dress with nude suede pumps, held hands with Macy, who was also dressed in formal black attire. According to CNN, Felicity had 13 additional loved ones with her in the court room, including brothers and sisters.
Prosecutors are finished. They say they would like fine money to be set up for a scholarship fund, or something similar. #WCVB
— Adam Bagni (@AdamBagni) September 13, 2019
BREAKING: #FelicityHuffman sentences to 14 days in prison. #WCVB
— Adam Bagni (@AdamBagni) September 13, 2019
BREAKING: #FelicityHuffman sentences to 14 days in prison. #WCVB
— Adam Bagni (@AdamBagni) September 13, 2019
Reporters stated that Huffman's defense — that she was only trying to help her daughter — was not met with empathy from prosecutors, and that prison time was labeled "necessary."
Prosecutor hits back at Huffman's claim she did the crime bc she was struggling to help her daughter.
"With all due respect to the defendant, welcome to parenthood. There's no instruction manual. Parenthood is exhausting and stressful, but that's what every parent goes through."— julia reinstein 🚡 (@juliareinstein) September 13, 2019
Prosecutors on #FelicityHuffman sentencing: "In prison, there is no paparazzi. In prison, everyone is treated the same. Everyone wears the same clothes and is subject to the same rules... Prison is necessary here." @wpri12
— Caroline Goggin (@CarolineGoggin) September 13, 2019
Prosecutors: “This case is serious...designed to corrupt the entire college admissions system.”
“Most importantly of all...I can say with the utmost confidence that a sentence of 30 days is sufficient...to achieve justice.” #FelicityHuffman #WCVB— Adam Bagni (@AdamBagni) September 13, 2019
Huffman's defense argued for probation, 250 hours of community service, and a $20,000 fine. They added that among the other parents indicted, her offense was the least egregious.
Here comes the defense.
They are asking for probation, 250 hours of community service, and 20K fine. #FelicityHuffman #WCVB— Adam Bagni (@AdamBagni) September 13, 2019
Defense: “The aggravating factors that are present in the other cases, are not present here.”
Says amount she paid was among lowest, didn’t include her daughter, and she said no when she has the chance to do it again.
“That is a litmus year of #FelicityHuffman character.” #WCVB— Adam Bagni (@AdamBagni) September 13, 2019
Huffman also spoke in court, again admitting guilt and also apologizing to other parents of college-bound children, students themselves, and universities. But she was most sorry to her daughter Sophia.
Felicity Huffman said her daughter finding out what she did was the worst part.
"[Sophia] said to me, 'I don't know who you are anymore, Mom.' Then she asked, 'Why didn't you believe in me? Why didn't you think I could do it on my own?"— julia reinstein 🚡 (@juliareinstein) September 13, 2019
"I can only say, I am so sorry Sophia," says Felicity Huffman. "I was frightened, I was stupid, and I was so wrong. I am deeply ashamed of what I've done."
"I take full responsibility for my actions," she tells the judge. "I will deserve whatever punishment you give me."— julia reinstein 🚡 (@juliareinstein) September 13, 2019
In March, Huffman was accused of paying $15,000 to Rick Singer to have her daughter's SAT scores favorably falsified. She was one of dozens of parents implicated in the nationwide scam.
As the date of her sentencing approached, several of Felicity's former co-workers as well as her husband wrote letters to the prosecutors to vouch for the actress's character. Eva Longoria, who worked with Huffman on Desperate Housewives, said that she was bullied on the set of the ABC drama, and that Huffman was by her side as an ally during the ordeal.
In May, Huffman pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud. The case of her peer Lori Loughlin, who was also indicted in the scandal along with her fashion designer husband Mossimo Giannulli, has been simultaneously closely followed by the media. Unlike Huffman, however, Loughlin pleaded not guilty.
When coverage of the two actresses' involvement in the scandal first began, Huffman was seen as a foil to Loughlin's flamboyant behavior. Whereas Huffman dressed in long gray dresses as well as buttoned-up business suits — all the while looking solemn and guilt-ridden — Loughlin wore flashy leopard prints and megawatt smiles. It seems, however, that the Full House actress may have taken a cue from Felicity. Eventually, she adopted a far less glamorous demeanor, and appeared somber while arriving at court a few weeks ago.
RELATED: Felicity Huffman Has Pleaded Guilty in Connection to the College Admissions Scandal
Since news of the scandal first broke in March Huffman has been lying low. Though there have been reports of strained relationships with her daughters, it appears that at least her husband of 22 years, Macy, is standing by her side.