College Admissions Scandal Update: Lori Loughlin's Guilty Plea Was Influenced By Private 'Discussion'
On May 22, Lori Loughlin and her husband, fashion designer Mossimo Giannulli, appeared before federal Judge Nathaniel Gorton to address their role in the Rick Singer-led college admissions scam. During the court appearance, which took place over Zoom due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, they each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud. However, Giannulli also pleaded guilty to a charge of honest services wire and mail fraud.
Prior to their decision to enter guilty pleas, in 2019, Loughlin and Giannulli were charged with mail and wire fraud, honest services mail and wire fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy to commit federal programs bribery. At that time, they had been accused of paying Singer $500,000 so that their daughters, Olivia Jade and Isabella Rose, could attend the University of Southern California (USC).
While the recent decision may have surprised those who have followed the "Fuller House" actress' case, a new report has indicated that influences behind the scenes had quietly inspired her to make such a decision prior to Friday's court appearance.
According to People, a legal source revealed that both Olivia and Isabella had been "very supportive of their parents throughout this whole ordeal." After reportedly asking their parents to fight the charges, they later changed their minds about the best path forward.
The source later indicated how that decision ultimately came about.
"They all had a family discussion about their options before making a decision. Olivia and Bella also want it to be over and they agree the plea is the best option," they said, adding, "Lori and Mossimo don’t feel like they gave up; they’re doing what’s best for their family."
Prior to the Hallmark star's admission, various reports had revealed certain steps that Loughlin and her "formidable" defense team had reportedly been making prior to her previously-scheduled October trial. Earlier, it was also stated that they believed they had a "secret weapon" to prove her innocence and have benefited from a specific witness' testimony.
Additionally, it was said that not only had they received "sharp" criticism from prosecutors, but they had also changed their strategy once before.
Loughlin is set to return to court on August 21 to learn her official sentence pertaining to the Singer-led admissions scam.
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