Lori Loughlin sentenced over college admissions scandal

Former Full House actor Lori Loughlin and her husband Mossimo Giannulli have been sentenced to prison terms of two months and five months, respectively, for participating in a US college admissions fraud scheme.

Loughlin choked up as she apologised to US District Judge Nathaniel Gorton in Boston for the “awful decision” she made to help her daughters gain an “unfair advantage” in the college admissions process and get into their preferred school. Loughlin pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud in May.

“I am truly, profoundly and deeply sorry, and I need to face the consequences and make amends,” she said during a hearing held via videoconference because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Judge Gorton also ordered Loughlin and Giannulli to pay fines of $US150,000 ($209,000) and $US250,000 ($349,000) respectively, and complete 100 and 250 hours of community service.

“We can only hope that you will spend the rest of your charmed life, as you’ve said you will, making amends for the system that you have harmed,” the judge said.

Defence lawyer BJ Trach said the case had “devastating” effects on Loughlin’s career, leading to her losing multi-year acting contracts.

“She has become intertwined with the college admissions scandal,” he said.

Loughlin also made several appearances on the Netflix sequel series Fuller House.

Felicity Huffman (Desperate Housewives, American Crime) was sentenced to 14 days prison last September after pleading guilty in the same scandal.

Source: ABC