Felicity Huffman sentenced to prison

By Fernando Alfonso III and Veronica Rocha, CNN

Updated 5:04 p.m. ET, September 13, 2019
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4:30 p.m. ET, September 13, 2019

Felicity Huffman leaves court after sentencing

Actress Felicity Huffman, escorted by her husband William H. Macy, exits court in Boston on Sept. 13, 2019.
Actress Felicity Huffman, escorted by her husband William H. Macy, exits court in Boston on Sept. 13, 2019. JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP/Getty Images

Felicity Huffman left court holding hands with her husband, actor William H. Macy, after her sentencing.

She did not make any remarks.

Huffman must report to prison on Oct. 25 to serve her sentence. During today's court proceedings, Huffman also received a $30,000 fine, 250 hours of community service and one year supervised release.

4:05 p.m. ET, September 13, 2019

Huffman releases statement: "There are no excuses or justifications for my actions"

From CNN's Carolyn Sung

AP Photo/Elise Amendola
AP Photo/Elise Amendola

Actress Felicity Huffman, who was sentenced to 14 days in prison today, said she accepts the "court's decision today without reservation" in a statement released to the media.

"I broke the law. I have admitted that and I pleaded guilty to this crime. There are no excuses or justifications for my actions. Period," Huffman said in the statement. "I would like to apologize again to my daughter, my husband, my family and the educational community for my actions. And I especially want to apologize to the students who work hard every day to get into college, and to their parents who make tremendous sacrifices supporting their children."

Huffman also received a $30,000 fine, 250 hours of community service and one year supervised release, according to federal court Judge Indira Talwani.

"I can promise you that in the months and years to come that I will try and live a more honest life, serve as a better role model for my daughters and family and continue to contribute my time and energies wherever I am needed," Huffman said. "My hope now is that my family, my friends and my community will forgive me for my actions."
3:58 p.m. ET, September 13, 2019

Huffman must report to prison on Oct. 25

Felicity Huffman must report to prison on Oct. 25 to serve her 14-day sentence handed down today in federal court.

Where she goes is ultimately up to the Bureau of Prisons and has not been announced.

Huffman’s attorney said in court today that he has requested a facility near Huffman's California home.

3:48 p.m. ET, September 13, 2019

Judge tells Huffman: "You can rebuild your life after this. You’ve paid your dues"

Federal court Judge Indira Talwani said she thinks Felicity Huffman's punishment is "the right sentence here."

She also spoke directly to Huffman, saying, “I think you take your sentence and you move forward."

"You can rebuild your life after this. You’ve paid your dues," the judge added.

Huffman must report to the Bureau of Prisons in six weeks.

3:43 p.m. ET, September 13, 2019

Felicity Huffman sentenced to 14 days in prison

From CNN's Mark Morales

Actress Felicity Huffman has been sentenced to 14 days in prison.

Huffman also received a $30,000 fine, 250 hours of community service and one year supervised release, federal court Judge Indira Talwani said today in Boston.

Before announcing the sentencing, Talwani said Huffman knew what she did was wrong, saying, “She knew it was a fraud it was not an impulsive act.” 

"Trying to be a good mother doesn’t excuse this," the judge said.

Huffman stood before the judge in Boston and at one point read from a paper, saying, “I am sorry to you.” 

She went on to apologize to her daughters and her husband, actor William H. Macy.

“I am deeply ashamed of what I have done,” Huffman told the judge. “At the end of the day I had a choice to make. I could have said 'no.'”

3:32 p.m. ET, September 13, 2019

Huffman breaks down in court: "I am deeply ashamed of what I have done"

From CNN’s Mark Morales

Felicity Huffman broke down before the judge this afternoon while sharing a story about driving her daughter to a testing center.

“I thought to myself turn around. Just turnaround," she said.

Huffman then broke down, “and to my eternal shame, I didn’t.”

She described the conversation she had with her daughter when the scheme was revealed. Huffman said her daughter asked, “I don’t know who you are anymore mom? Why didn’t you think I could do it on my own?”

Huffman said she was frightened and called herself “stupid.”

“I am deeply ashamed of what I have done,” Huffman told the judge. “At the end of the day I had a choice to make. I could have said 'no.'”

“I take full responsibility," Huffman continued. “I will accept whatever punishment you give me.”

3:25 p.m. ET, September 13, 2019

Huffman addresses judge: "I am sorry to you"

From CNN's Mark Morales

Actress Felicity Huffman stood before the judge this afternoon in Boston and read from a paper, saying, “I am sorry to you.” 

She went on to apologize to her daughters and her husband, actor William H. Macy.

3:23 p.m. ET, September 13, 2019

Huffman's attorney: "She knew what she did was wrong"

From CNN's Mark Morales

Felicity Huffman's attorney Martin Murphy called his client a good, kind and decent person during sentencing this afternoon.

Murphy addressed the judge during sentencing, saying Huffman "knew what she did was wrong."

He added that Huffman was able to revisit her moral compass and come to a different conclusion.

“She was able to say no the second time," Murphy said.

3:14 p.m. ET, September 13, 2019

US attorney on Huffman: "There is no excuse for what she did"

From CNN's Mark Morales

During the sentencing this afternoon, Assistant US Attorney Eric Rosen suggested Felicity Huffman should go to jail for one month saying, "there is no excuse for what she did.” 

Citing a letter Huffman sent to the judge roughly a week ago, Rosen said, “With all due respect to the defendant, welcome to parenthood.”

"Most parents have the moral compass and integrity not to step over the line. The defendant did not," Rosen said.

Rosen argued that probation is not an appropriate punishment for Huffman. Her attorneys are asking for a sentence of one year of probation, 250 hours of community service and a $20,000 fine.

“A message must be sent and imprisonment is the only way to send that message," Rosen said.

He continued: “She did this once and she planned on doing this again.”