Felicity Huffman Pleads Guilty In College Scandal, Prison Likely

LOS ANGELES, CA — Felicity Huffman leaded guilty in Boston to paying someone to correct answers on her daughter's SAT exam as part of the nationwide college admissions cheating scam. It's part of a plea deal likely to land the Emmy-winning actress in prison..

Prosecutors said they'll recommend that the "Desperate Housewives" star -- one of dozens of parents ensnared in the nationwide admissions-cheating scandal -- serve four months in prison, pay a $20,000 fine, and spend a year on supervised release after her prison time.

A sentencing date has not yet been announced.

Macy's exam. Huffman's husband, actor William H. Macy, was not charged in the scheme.

Huffman was among the first parents indicted in the scheme to confess her guilt. It's earned her a measure of leniency, especially compared to indicted parents such as actress Lori Loughlin, who is fighting the case and facing additional charges for her stance.

Because Huffman agreed to plead guilty, prosecutors promised to recommend a sentence at the low end of the sentencing range, but the judge also could decide on even less.

Huffman has apologized and said her daughter was unaware of her actions.

"I am in full acceptance of my guilt, and with deep regret and shame over what I have done, I accept full responsibility for my actions and will accept the consequences that stem from those actions," she has said.

But Huffman wasn't alone Monday. Los Angeles businessman Devin Sloane was also expected to plead guilty Monday for his part in the nationwide scandal. Sloane allegedly paid $250,000 to get his son into USC as a fake water polo recruit. Sloane, who founded a drinking and wastewater systems company, bought water polo gear online and worked with a graphic designer to create a fake photo of his son playing the sport, according to prosecutors.

Huffman's plea comes two months after she was arrested in what's been called "Operation Varsity Blues," in which wealthy parents were accused of paying bribes to help their children get admitted into elite universities across the nation.

The 56-year-old Huffman is among 14 parents who have agreed to plead guilty in what authorities have called it the biggest college admissions cheating scandal ever prosecuted in the nation.

Some parents have decided to fight the charges in the scandal led by William "Rick" Singer, a California college admissions consultant who pleaded guilty in March to charges that he facilitated the cheating and helped bribe coaches.

Loughlin and her fashion designer husband, Mossimo Giannulli, have pleaded not guilty to paying $500,000 in bribes to get their daughters into the University of Southern California as crew recruits even though neither of them is a rower.

City News Service and Patch Staffe Paige Austin contributed to this report.