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TOO LENIENT? Actress Felicity Huffman Sentenced For 14 Days In Jail Over College Admissions Scandal


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Actress Felicity Huffman has been the first celebrity sentenced in the college admissions scandal, but the length of her prison stay is sparking controversy, with many calling it a mere slap on the wrist and too lenient.

Huffman’s sentence consists of a 14-day stay in prison, along with a $30K fine, 250 hours of community service, and 1 year of supervision following release from jail.

Members of both the left and right side of the political spectrum are in an uproar over it, with many on both sides seeing the sentencing as unfair.

Take a look at the outrage Huffman's punishment for fraud is stirring up on Twitter:

Some are wondering if Full House's Lori Loughlin who was also involved in the college admissions scandal will be given harsher sentencing in response to the Huffman decision, since her charges could earn her an up to 40 year stay behind bars:

Regarding the whole college admissions fiasco and the sentencing of celebrities who committed fraud to get their kids into top schools, his Twitter user made a great suggestion:

What do you think?

Is Huffman's sentencing too lenient?

Will Loughlin have a worse fate?

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Fox News has more details on the trial and court decision of Felicity Huffman:

Actress Felicity Huffman was sentenced Friday to 14 days in prison and a $30,000 fine for her role in a sprawling college admissions scandal involving rich and famous families who funneled cash to fixers in order to get their kids into the nation's most prestigious colleges and universities. 

Huffman, 56, must self-report to a facility chosen by the federal Bureau of Prisons on Oct. 25. She also received one year of probation and ordered to perform 250 hours of community service.

"I think this is the right sentence here," U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani told Huffman. "You can move forward and rebuild your life after this. Without this sentence, I think the community around you would ask why you got away with this."

A tearful Huffman had addressed Judge Talwani in Boston federal court before she received her sentence.

"I'm sorry to you, judge. I am deeply sorry to the students, parents and colleges impacted by my actions," the Emmy-award winning actress confessed. "I am sorry to my daughters and my husband. I have betrayed them all.

"My mind keeps returning to the 30-minute drive to the testing center. I kept thinking, 'Turn around,'" she said.

Huffman said her daughter Sophia asked why she didn't believe in her.

"I had no answer," Huffman said. "I can only say I'm so sorry, Sophia. I was frightened, I was stupid, and I was so wrong. I am deeply ashamed of what I have done. I have done more damage than I could ever imagine. I realize now with my mothering that love and truth go hand in hand. I take full responsibility for my actions."

Huffman, 56, had pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud in May. She confessed to paying an admissions consultant $15,000 to have a proctor correct her older daughter's answers on the SAT. She considered the same for her younger daughter but decided against it.

CBS News also said:

Felicity Huffman was sentenced to 14 days in jail on Friday for her role in the college admissions cheating scandal. The popular television actress has admitted to paying $15,000 in an effort to boost her eldest daughter's SAT score. 

Huffman, 56, also received one year of probation, 250 hours of community service and a $30,000 fine. Huffman said in a statement that she accepts the "court's decision without reservation."

U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani told Huffman that "being a good mother doesn't excuse this." She also noted that Huffman did not participate in the scheme for her second daughter. 

"In terms of your moving forward and rehabilitation, move forward and rebuild your life after this," Talwani said. "You paid your dues."

Before the sentencing, Huffman tearfully apologized to Talwani, saying she was "deeply sorry" for her actions. She also apologized directly to her daughter, Sophia.



 

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