Desperate Housewives star Felicity Huffman pleaded guilty Monday in the college admissions bribery scheme, the biggest name to do so in a scandal that has exposed the lengths to which some wealthy parents will go to get their children into top universities. The Emmy-winning actress, 56, could face prison time after she admitted to participating in the nationwide scam, in which authorities say parents bribed coaches, rigged entrance exams or both to game the admissions system. Huffman pleaded guilty in federal court to paying an admissions consultant $15,000 to have a proctor correct her older daughter's answers on the SAT, the AP reports. She arrived at court holding the hand of her brother Moore Huffman Jr. and did not say anything to journalists. In court, she sat flanked by her attorneys while her brother watched from the front row. Her husband, actor William H. Macy, didn't attend.
She stood with her hands clasped in front of her and responded, "Yes, your honor," when asked whether she understood the charges. CNN says she was "choking up" while speaking to the judge. Sentencing was set for Sept. 13. Prosecutors are seeking four to 10 months behind bars. Because she agreed to plead guilty, prosecutors said they would recommend four months in prison, but the judge could also choose not to put her behind bars at all. Huffman apologized in a statement last month and said she will accept the consequences. She said she "betrayed" her 18-year-old daughter, who was not aware of her plan. Investigators have said Macy, 69, was with her when admissions consultant Rick Singer explained how he could arrange for the cheating because he "controlled" a test center. Both Huffman and Macy agreed to the plan, authorities say, but Macy has not been charged. Prosecutors have not explained why. (Another actress will fight her charges.)