Actress Lori Loughlin and her fashion designer husband are expected to plead guilty to charges connected to the widespread college admissions scandal, a dramatic turn of events for the couple who has until now refused to admit culpability.
As the New York Post reports, prosecutors announced on Thursday that Loughlin, 55, and her husband Mossimo Giannulli 56, are set to plead guilty to conspiracy charges. The couple has been accused of paying $500,000 to help their daughters gain admission fraudulently to the University of Southern California. As previously reported, both of their daughters were admitted to the prestigious university as crew team recruits, though neither played the sport.
According to the report, the “Full House” actress is exopected to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and mail fraud. Her husband will reportedly plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and mail fraud and honest services wire and mail fraud.
Loughlin’s plea deal will reportedy include a two-month prison sentence, while Giannulli will be sentenced to five months in prison in addition to community service. Both will pay fines totaling $400,000.
“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. We will continue to pursue accountability for undermining the integrity of college admissions,” U.S. Attorney Andrew E. Lelling said in a statement obtained by the New York Post.
The newspaper reports that the sentences are pending a judge’s approval.
[Feature image: AP Photo/Steven Senne]
