Lori Loughlin, Husband Could Face Two Years in Prison for College Scam
LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 16: Actress Lori Loughlin (C) and daughters Isabella Giannulli (R) and Olivia Giannulli (L) attend the premiere of Netflix’s ‘Fuller House’ at Pacific Theatres at The Grove on February 16, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images)
Lori Loughlin and husband Mossimo Giannulli could face a minimum of two years in prison if they take a plea deal in a massive college admissions scam, according to reports.
New charges of money laundering were added to Loughlin’s and Giannulli’s case Tuesday, according to the Associated Press. The news follows a group of parents charged in the case accepting plea deals Monday. According to TMZ , all of the parents in the college cheating scandal have been offered plea deals, but prosecutors are holding firm in their stance that no pleas will be accepted without prison time.
On Monday, actress Felicity Huffman, who is also charged in the national case, was among those who accepted a plea deal and apologized for her involvement in the scandal.
“I accept full responsibility for my actions and will accept the consequences that stem from those actions,” Huffman said. “I am ashamed of the pain I have caused my daughter, my family, my friends, my colleagues and the educational community.”
But while Huffman may face less than a year in prison for paying$15K to have her daughter’s SAT scores corrected, Loughlin and Giannulli paid a far more hefty sum, $500K, and are therefore facing a more grim fate, Page Six reports.
TMZ reports that all the parents involved in the case, where they are accused of paying millions to get their children into elite colleges like Yale, Stanford and USC, have been told if they don’t accept the plea deal, they will face a Federal Grand Jury and additional charges, which could increase the minimum prison time.
Loughlin has reportedly been keeping her cool in spite of everything. A source told People Magazine that she’s been relying on her faith and fitness to keep her stress levels at a minimum.
“While waiting for this to come to some conclusion, she’s trying to keep a somewhat regular schedule — going to yoga and pilates and seeing friends for lunch,” the source told the magazine. “She is very faith-based, and she knows her faith will get her through this.”
