article_snippet.sent: Ten former Atlanta public school educators, convicted earlier this month of racketeering in one of the largest U.S. test-cheating scandals, were told to consider plea deals or face significantly more time behind bars.
article_snippet.sent: Former Atlanta public school educators fill the courtroom during the  sentencing hearing on Monday to accept deals with the prosecution in the trial over a widespread conspiracy to cheat on state tests Monday .
article_snippet.sent: If Former Atlanta public school educators accept deals, Former Atlanta public school educators would be required to apologize and waive Former Atlanta public school educators right to appeal, and former administrators would be given punishments from one year of weekend jail time and a $10,000 fine, according to the AJC.
article_snippet.sent: A total of 35 Atlanta educators were indicted in March 2013 on charges including racketeering, making false statements and theft.
article_snippet.sent: The jury acquitted one of the 12 former educators who had been on trial and convicted the other 11 on a racketeering charge, and were facing up to 20 years in prison.
article_snippet.sent: the 12 former educators who had been on trial and convicted the other 11 on a racketeering charge, and were facing up to 20 years in prison were all found guilty under the the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, or RICO, which is typically reserved for major mobsters and organized crime bosses.
article_snippet.sent: Baxter heard from character witnesses for 10 of the 11 defendants convicted this month of racketeering for character witnesses roles in a scheme to inflate students' scores on standardized exams.
article_snippet.sent: character witnesses — mostly friends and relatives of the 11 defendants convicted this month of racketeering for their roles in a scheme to inflate students' scores on standardized exams — pleaded for mercy and described the former educators' passion for teaching and dedication to the former educators' students, which often extended to devoting the former educators' personal time and money to help.
article_snippet.sent: The 11th former educator who was convicted was pregnant when the jury reached The 11th former educator who was convicted verdict and gave birth over the weekend.
article_snippet.sent: The 11th former educator who was convicted is set to be sentenced later.
article_snippet.sent: In March 2013, Superintendent Beverly L. Hall and 34 educators were indicted by a grand jury on charges including racketeering, making false statements and theft .
article_snippet.sent: 21 of 34 educators plead guilty to reach plea agreements .
article_snippet.sent: 12 educators chose to stand trial .
article_snippet.sent: Prosecutors said the 12 were looking out for Prosecutors rather than Prosecutors students .
article_snippet.sent: On Wednesday, only one of 12 educators were acquitted .
article_snippet.sent: The 11 educators - teachers, a principal and other administrators - were found guilty .
highlights_snippet.sent: 11 former teachers, testing coordinators and other administrators were convicted earlier this month of racketeering after a five-year investigation .
  