Lori Loughlin is either overly confident or incredibly misguided because the actress, and her fashion designer husband Mossimo Giannulli, have both plead not guilty in the college bribery case against them.
This is a far cry from the other high-profile persona involved in this case. Last week actress Felicity Huffman plead guilty for her role in the scheme and issued an apology that was mostly well-received by the masses. It appears that Loughlin and her husband feel differently about the severity of the issue which involves paying “bribes totaling $500,000 in exchange for having their two daughters designated as recruits to the USC crew team — despite the fact that they did not participate in crew — thereby facilitating their admission to USC,” according to the 200-page indictment announced by federal prosecutors last month. It is being widely reported that the duo wants to fight the charges because, particularly Lori Loughlin, believes she did what any mother would’ve done for her kids. Essentially they don’t think they really did anything wrong which is naive or totally tone deaf depending on your perspective.
Among the 33 wealthy parents arrested, Huffman and Loughlin are charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services fraud, according to the unsealed indictment. Currently, out on $1,000,000 bail bond and facing up to 20 years in prison, Loughlin and her spouse were hit with an additional money laundering charge on April 9.
Their decision to fight is particularly interesting because prosecutors have made it clear they want some prison time for those involved. Huffman, having plead guilty and making a public declaration of remorse, is looking at 2-4 months in federal prison, if at all. Loughlin and her husband are a different story. Since they have decided to reject plea deals and have plead not guilty, there is some significant time on the table. It was reported that even with a deal, prosecutors wanted a minimum of two years for the pair and now that scenario appears to be off the table so the Fuller House actress and her husband could end up serving significant time if convicted.
