Actor Lori Loughlin And Husband Get Prison Sentence In US College Admissions Scam Case

Lori Loughlin and her fashion designer husband, Mossimo Giannulli, have been sentenced to prison on Friday for using their wealth and privilege to unlawfully secure college admissions for their daughters. Loughlin and her husband pleaded guilty in May for engaging in a fraud scheme. The Tell Me No Secrets actor apologised to U.S. District Judge Nathaniel Gorton in Boston for the “awful decision” she made to help her daughters gain an “unfair advantage” in college.

Sentenced To Two Months In Jail

Loughlin choked while she apologised for the first time publicly for crimes that the couple's lawyers insisted for months they didn’t commit. The Full House star has been sentenced to prison for two months and Giannulli for five months. The college admission bribery scandal had rocked the U.S. educational system and disclosed the lengths some wealthy parents go to, to get their kids into elite universities of their choice.

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Loughlin,56, said she acted "out of love for my children". The actor added that she understood that her actions “helped exacerbate existing inequalities in society generally and the higher education system for specifically.” In the hearing which was held online due to the pandemic , Loughlin said, “I am truly, profoundly and deeply sorry, and I need to face the consequences and make amends.”

What You Should Know

• Lori Loughlin and her fashion designer husband, Mossimo Giannulli have been sentenced for two months and five months respectively.
• They have been sentenced for getting their daughters unlawfully into the Univerity of Southern California.
• They have been ordered to pay respective fines of $150,000 and $250,000.

Loughlin pledged to do everything in her power to use her experience as a “catalyst to do good.” Her lawyer said she had begun volunteering with special needs students at an elementary school.

U.S. District Judge Nathaniel Gorton also ordered Loughlin and Giannulli to pay respective fines of $150,000 and $250,000 and complete 100 and 250 hours of community service. "We can only hope that you will spend the rest of your charmed life... making amends for the system that you have harmed," Judge Gorton told Loughlin.

Know More

Loughlin and Giannulli are among 56 people charged in the "blatant" scheme which was reportedly masterminded by consultant William “Rick” Singer. He has admitted to facilitating cheating on college entrance exams and using bribery to secure the admission of children to schools under the veil of being sought-after athletes. The list of corrupt parents includes actor Felicity Huffman, who received a 14-day prison sentence for paying to rig her daughter’s college entrance exam score.

Prosecutors said Loughlin and Giannulli conspired with Singer to fabricate parts of their daughters’ applications for admission to the University of Southern California so they could be admitted as fake rowing team recruits.

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Defense lawyer B.J. Trach said the case had serious effects on Loughlin’s career, leading to her losing multi-year acting contracts. Her lawyer further added that her fame made her an undisputed face of the national scandal.

Loughlin and Giannulli denied all the allegations for over a year with their lawyers accusing prosecutors of withholding evidence that would exonerate the couple. The couple is due to report to prison on Nov. 19.

Picture Credits: The Associated Press

Sanskriti is an intern with SheThePeople.TV.