Lori Loughlin will plead guilty and spend time in prison for taking part in the college admissions scandal. Last year, headlines raged across the nation reading that Fuller House’s Loughlin and Desperate Housewives’ Felicity Huffman had been indicted in the nation’s largest college admissions scam. Orchestrated by William Rick Singer, the college admissions scheme allowed for parents to pay large sums of money to bribe college officials and alter test scores to admit their children into prestigious universities.
Coined Operation Varsity Blues, the scandal broke open to reveal over fifty elite individuals were involved. Loughlin and Huffman were the two most shocking names to be disclosed. Reportedly, Loughlin and her husband, Mossimo Giannulli, forked over half a million dollars to USC to ensure their two daughters’ admittance. Since the news of the scandal broke, the careers of the actresses have been permanently altered. Huffman pleaded guilty to her charges and served a prison term of eleven days. Following her termination from the Hallmark Channel, and Fuller House, Loughlin pleaded not guilty to mail fraud and money laundering. Previously scheduled for a trial date later this year, Loughlin and Giannuli could have faced up to 20 years in prison if convicted. Now, it appears Loughlin is changing her tune.
Per THR, Loughlin and her husband Giannulli have agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy charges. Reportedly, Loughlin’s plea agreement entails two months of jail time, a $150,00 fine, community service, and two years of supervised release. Loughlin is scheduled to enter her guilty plea to Judge Nathanial M. Gorton on May 22.
According to court documents, Giannulli has agreed to serve five months in federal prison. Speaking on the plea agreements, attorney Andrew Lelling stated, “...these defendants will serve prison terms reflecting their respective roles in a conspiracy to corrupt the college admissions process and which are consistent with prior sentences in this case. We will continue to pursue accountability for undermining the integrity of college admissions.” To date, Judge Gorton has sentenced four parents in the college admissions scam - the lightest sentence being a five-month prison term.
After maintaining her innocence for more than a year, it appears as though Loughlin has taken a page from Huffman’s book. While the judge’s sentence has yet to be revealed, Loughlin and her husband taking a plea deal will avoid a tedious trial and a sentence of 20 years behind bars. As of this writing, it remains to be seen how Fuller House will address Aunt Becky’s exit in the fifth and final season. The scheme made waves in the college world, and no doubt, the lives of those involved in the college admissions scandal have been permanently altered.
Source: THR