'Bad Education,' HBO Film On LI Schools Theft, Gets 2 Emmy Nods

ROSLYN, NY — An HBO film that recounted how a Long Island school district rose to prominence only to become embroiled in a multi-million dollar theft scandal has been nominated for a pair of Emmy Awards.

The TV film "Bad Education" boasts an All-Star cast including Hugh Jackman, Ray Romano, Allison Janney and Welker White. Jackman portrayed the now-infamous Frank Tassone, the former Roslyn Union Free School District superintendent who was sentenced in 2006 to serve four to 12 years behind bars for his role in an $11 million theft scheme.

Tassone was freed in 2010 reportedly paid back $2 million he was accused of stealing. He told life coach Mike Bayer on "The Coach Mike Podcast" he was afraid of being portrayed as "a liar and a cheat and a thief," though he acknowledged he "was a thief, no question."

Authorities said Tassone stole public money and spent it on himself, including vacations to the Caribbean, gambling, rent for an apartment on the Upper East Side and even a diet doctor to help him lose weight.

The film was nominated this year for Outstanding Television Movie and Jackman was nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor In A Limited Series or Movie.

Jackman told The Associated Press he was happy to be nominated for his acting role, as opposed to hosting.

"Like the hosting was a nice surprise," he said. "And when I won an Emmy for it, I was completely shocked. But this is really my jam, being an actor. And, you know, that’s what I studied all those years back. And so, yeah, this is — it’s really, really lovely. To know that you’re being nominated by your peers and within the industry means a lot."

"Bad Education" was written by Mike Makowsky, who was a middle school student in the district when Tassone was arrested in 2004.

"Frank Tassone was the first person I met in Roslyn," Makowsky told Vanity Fair.

Pam Gluckin, played by Janney, pleaded guilty to stealing $4.3 million, including money to renovate her home in the Hamptons.