BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Actress Lori Laughlin and her husband fashion designer Mossimo Giannulli have pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges in connection to their role in the college admissions scandal.
However, the judge has said he will not to accept or reject the couple's pleas today. They will instead face sentencing later in the summer.
While the couple's attorney requested a sooner sentencing date, and the judge said the will consider it, he added that the coronavirus pandemic makes it more difficult to speed things up.
Loughlin and Giannulli are the 23rd and 24th parents to plead guilty in the college admissions case. The couple are accused of paying $500,000 to get their two daughters into the University of Southern California as "purported athletic recruits."
Up until two weeks ago, they had pleaded not guilty and moved to dismiss the charges, but they were scheduled to enter guilty pleas at 11:30 a.m. Friday, May 22nd.
According to United States Attorney Andrew Lelling, Loughlin pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud, while Giannulli pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud and honest services wire and mail fraud.
The charges provide for a sentence of up 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.
If the judge approves of the terms of the plea agreement, Loughlin could serve two months in prison, face a $150,000 fine, and have two years of supervised release with 100 hours of community service.
If his agreement terms are approved, Giuannulli will face five months in prison, a $250,000 fine and two years of supervised release with 250 hours of community service.
"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," said Lelling. "We will continue to pursue accountability for undermining the integrity of college admissions."
In February, court documents revealed a fake crew resume, which claimed one of the couple's daughters had placed fourteenth in the Head of the Charles Regatta in 2017, and placed eleventh in 2016. However, there was no record of her competing those years, and neither the name "Giannulli" nor "Loughlin" appeared in any searches of regatta results for 2016 and 2017.
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