Alright, let’s break this down. You’ve probably heard about the massive college admissions scandal that rocked the nation, and at the center of it were none other than Lori Loughlin and her husband, Mossimo Giannulli. Initially, it seemed like the couple wasn’t fully grasping the gravity of the situation. According to a source speaking to Us Weekly, Lori, the beloved star of Fuller House, was reportedly "in denial" about the potential consequences of her alleged actions. Why? Well, her legal team had given her a sense of confidence that everything would work out in their favor. But as we all know, things can get complicated in the world of legal battles.
The Fallout Begins: Charges and Consequences
Now, here's the deal. In February, Lori, 54, and Mossimo, 55, were hit with fraud charges after allegedly paying a staggering $500,000 bribe to secure spots at the University of Southern California for their daughters, Bella, 20, and Olivia, 19, under false pretenses. The couple, like any parent, wanted the best for their kids, but the way they went about it? Let’s just say it didn’t exactly follow the rules. They both pleaded not guilty, setting the stage for what would become a high-profile legal drama.
Why They Didn’t Take the Deal
According to sources, Lori’s attorney advised her against taking the deal. That decision led to the couple, along with a few others, facing additional charges. Unlike some of the other parents involved, including actress Felicity Huffman, who opted to plead guilty and avoided further charges like conspiracy to commit money laundering, Lori and Mossimo chose a different path. It’s a choice that’s come with significant consequences.
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Legal Experts Weigh In
Legal coach and crisis manager Wendy Feldman explained that the couple had "no choice but to plead not guilty" once they turned down the plea deal. "They missed the opportunity for a plea bargain during the first round, and now there might not be a deal available for them to take," she added. It’s a tough spot to be in, especially when the evidence against them is reportedly overwhelming.
Even Los Angeles-based lawyer Neama Rahmani agreed that Lori and Mossimo may have dug themselves into a pretty deep hole. "I don’t know what she was thinking," Rahmani admitted. "The feds have an overwhelming amount of evidence against her, including emails, phone calls, and financial documents." If found guilty on both charges, the couple could be facing up to 40 years in jail. That’s a long time to reflect on the choices they made.
View this post on Instagramdidn’t even plan our matching shoes @loriloughlin ❤️
The Impact on the Family
As the scandal unfolded, the ripple effects were felt deeply within the family, particularly by Lori and Mossimo's daughter, Olivia Jade. A source close to the family revealed that the influencer is struggling to come to terms with the situation. Olivia reportedly "feels she is the victim" in all of this, according to Us Weekly. It’s a tough pill to swallow, especially when the fallout has impacted her career significantly.
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Olivia's friends have reportedly been trying to console her, telling her not to be angry at her parents because they were "just trying to do the best they could for her." But the reality is, the scandal led to her being dropped from brand deals with major companies like TRESemmé and Sephora. Her clothing line collaboration with online boutique Princess Polly is also no longer available. "Olivia blames her mom and dad for this scandal and for the downfall of her career," the source said. Initially, Olivia tried to brush it off, thinking it would blow over in a week. But as time went on, it became clear that the impact would be lasting.
So, as the legal drama continues to unfold, we can only imagine what’s next for this family. Stay tuned for more updates as this story continues to develop.
