As Lori Loughlin prepares for her upcoming trial later this year, a judge's recent ruling may be an indication of what she could expect at her own 2020 court date.

In 2019, Loughlin and her husband, fashion designer Mossimo Giannulli, were accused of paying William "Rick" Singer $500,000 so that their daughters, Olivia Jade and Isabella Rose, could attend the University of Southern California (USC). Following the allegations, they were each charged with mail and wire fraud, honest services mail and wire fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy to commit federal programs bribery.

Now, another parent in the scheme, Douglas Hodge, has received a stiff sentence prior to Loughlin's own time in front of a judge.

According to the Los Angeles Times, Hodge was ordered to spend nine months in federal prison after paying Singer $850,000 so that his own children could attend USC and Georgetown. This marked the longest sentence given out thus far in the ongoing admissions scam. Previously, Toby MacFarlane, who pleaded guilty to fraud conspiracy charges in June, held the longest prison sentence at six months.

Additionally, U.S. District Judge Nathanial M. Gorton instructed Hodge to pay $750,000 and complete 500 hours of community service. He must also remain on supervised release for two years following his release from prison.

READ: College Admissions Scandal Update: Lori Loughlin's 'Gamble' Before Trial May Result In Harsher Sentence

The recent development may not be the only signal that the "Fuller House" actress has when it comes to the potential sentence that she could receive later this year. Previously, recent recommendations made by prosecutors and harsh criticism of another parent involved in the admissions scandal indicated what Loughlin could face down the road.

As for what the "When Calls the Heart" star has been doing on her own as she heads towards her upcoming trial, it has been said that she has been preparing for a "possible showdown" in court. Aside from taking "grueling" steps on her own, reports have surfaced that she has additionally tried to prevent the prosecution from securing a conviction, while also beginning to think about her "inevitable" future.

Moving forward, Loughlin has been told that her defense would be "smart" to take certain steps, while others have suggested that she face the "consequences." At this time, it has been said that her defense has now changed their strategy heading towards her 2020 trial.

USC Reacts To College Admissions Scandal
Here, a statue of the school mascot, the Trojan, stands on the campus of the University of Southern California on March 6, 2007, in Los Angeles. David McNew/Getty Images
RELATED STORIES