I agree that the institutions (and the employees who made it possible) should be punished. But this "sentence" reeks of what Rand described as "pull" in AS. Punishment for institutions: All federal support for student loans to these institutions should be banned and existing loans terminated in 90 days (to allow students to transfer to other institutions.) All federal funding for research in these institutions should be banned and all existing contracts and grants terminated in 90 days. The FCC should ban all broadcasts of sporting events of these institutions immediately. The IRS should revoke the non profit status of all organizations with ties to theses institutions and begin immediate audit proceedings on the institutions and all employees involved. Degrees given to people related to these events should be revoked and all credit for classes declared null and void. Parents involved should be fined in amount equal to the cost of the degree program at the universities involved and the fines distributed to pay for retraining people who lost jobs due to automation.

I agree that the bribe takers should be punished at very least in the same order of magnitude as the bribe givers.

So she spent a boatload of money to either have bragging material, live vicariously through her offspring, or simply because she wanted them to get invited to the "right" parties. What she got for her money was publicly outed as a prima donna elitist - and a kid that is now and will probably always be, dumb as a sack of hammers... seems a fair conclusion to the events.

Why is this even a discussion? We are all very well aware that money can and does buy stuff. Old men can buy young virgins, rich parents can buy college degrees for their kids and politicians can sell their support to the highest bidders. Politicians sons, daughters and other family members fall into ridiculously high paying jobs and positions devoid of any educated background in those fields. Hell, even the FBI, DOJ and all the other esteemed law enforcement institutions in this country can be bought.
There is nothing to be seen here folks so just move along. For those of us who can't afford to play with the big boys there is a completely different set of rules and laws we must adhere to. Hollywood and sports celebrities have different rules and laws than the rest of us because they are "Connected" while we remain "Disconnected" and are just jealous.
The first response here from Freedomforall although spot on is nothing more than a fantasy.

I couldn't help but notice that USC is central this this chapter. But, USC is a private university. I'd be offended if they didn't take payola to get people in. (minor sarcasm there...but you get the point I'm sure...)

All parties involved should have gotten publicly shamed, fines (return of any ill gotten gains) and jail time...we also should have a Public Discussion on how to re-adjust the system...the colleges and universities should have bared the brunt of all of this.

And, Yes, AJ, the student should have had the degree taken away as well. These parents had all the money in the world to have the kid tutored instead of cheating....No F-in Excuses.

I am surprised she even received 14 days. The judge declared that this was the proper punishment for her but I did not hear any rational to prove it.

Oh, oih say! All you jealous little peeps need not get all in a huff over Huffman's just cupcake desserts. Dear Felicity has suffered enough with all the oh so negativity publicity.
Nevertheless, having apologized for her itty-bitty boo-boo, she is heroically for stoically resigned to spending 14 days all locked up with smelly Walmart people.
At least the poor dear can look forward to quickly returning to her proper place among the elites when comes the time to bid all you crass ordinary snots a ta-ta and a cheerio.