Breaking News: USC Soccer Coach Involved in Lori Loughlin's College Scandal Pleads Guilty
Listen up, folks. This story is a real eye-opener. Laura Janke, the former assistant coach for the University of Southern California's women's soccer team, has just agreed to plead guilty. Her involvement? Crafting a fake crew team profile for none other than Lori Loughlin’s daughter, Olivia Jade Giannulli. This bombshell comes as part of the infamous nationwide college admissions scandal that shook the education world to its core.
Here's the deal: Laura Janke, who's just 36 years old, isn't just owning up to her role. She's fully cooperating with the government's investigation. And let me tell you, this isn't a small-time charge. She's pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit racketeering. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Massachusetts dropped this news on April 23, and it’s sending shockwaves through the halls of academia.
Janke Among 12 Indicted in the Nationwide College Scandal
Janke wasn't alone in this mess. She was one of 12 people who got indicted after authorities uncovered this nationwide college scandal. Wealthy parents were allegedly shelling out big bucks—bribes, to be exact—to secure their kids’ spots in some of the most prestigious schools in the country. It’s like a twisted version of the American Dream, right?
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According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, if Janke is found guilty, she’s looking at a pretty hefty punishment. We're talking up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine that could hit the quarter-million-dollar mark. That’s no small potatoes, folks.
The Scheme’s Mastermind and Janke’s Role
CNN reported that the mastermind behind this whole operation, William “Rick” Singer, reached out to Janke back in July 2017. He asked her to create a fake profile for Lori Loughlin’s daughter. Janke allegedly replied, “Ok sounds good. Please send me the pertinent information and I will get started.” It’s chilling how casual the whole thing sounds, isn’t it?
Singer then emailed Lori Loughlin asking for an “action picture” of her daughter. Lori’s husband, Mossimo Giannulli, reportedly sent back a photo of their youngest daughter working out on a rowing machine. Talk about a creative twist on the college application process!
The Fallout: Lori and Mossimo’s Arrest
When this scandal first broke in mid-March, authorities revealed that Lori Loughlin and Mossimo Giannulli were arrested after allegedly paying up to $500,000 in bribes. Their goal? To get both of their daughters, Bella, 20, and Olivia, 19, into USC. The twist? The girls were accepted as crew team recruits, despite never stepping foot on a crew team or participating in any related events. It’s almost comical if it weren’t so serious.
Fast forward a month from their arrest, and the Full House alum and her husband pleaded not guilty on April 15. They’re facing two charges: money laundering and conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud. The trial for these high-profile defendants is shaping up to be one for the history books. Stay tuned, folks, because this story is far from over.
