Actress Lori Loughlin and her husband, fashion designer Mossimo Giannulli, agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy charges in connection to their role in the college admissions scams, the US Attorney’s Office in the District of Massachusetts said. The plea agreement involves jail time, fines, supervised release, and community service hours.
They are expected to plead guilty on Friday at 11:30 am, according to prosecutors.
The Charges
The couple is accused of paying $500,000 to get their two daughters into the University of Southern California as fake crew team recruits, as part of a scheme led by Rick Singer. Giannulli emailed Singer pictures of his daughters posing on indoor rowing machines, which were used to create their fake athletic profiles, according to the criminal complaint.
Loughlin, best known for her role as Aunt Becky on Full House, will plead guilty to conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud. Giannulli will plead guilty to conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud and honest services wire and mail fraud.
“Under the plea agreements filed today, 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,” said US Attorney Andrew E. Lelling. “We will continue to pursue accountability for undermining the integrity of college admissions.”
The Plea Agreement
Previously, Loughlin and Giannulli pleaded not guilty and moved to dismiss the charges against them.
By pleading guilty, CNN reports that Loughlin will be sentenced to two months in prison and Giannulli will be sentenced to five months in prison, subject to the court’s approval. Loughlin will also face a $150,000 fine, two years of supervised release, and 100 hours of community service. Giannulli faces a $250,000 fine, two years of supervised release, and 250 hours of community service.
If Loughlin and Giannulli had gone to trial and been convicted, they could have faced up to 20 years in prison for charges.
Lori Loughlin Plea Agreement — Sources
CNN — Lori Loughlin Plea Agreement