Full House star Lori Loughlin has been clobbered with an extra charge of money laundering in relation to her alleged involvement in the massive college admissions scandal, one day after Desperate Housewives star Felicity Huffman announced she’d plead guilty to fraud for participating in the same scheme.
The extra charge means that if found guilty, Loughlin could face up to 20 years behind bars.
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The New York Times reports that Loughlin and her husband, Mossimo Gianulli, are among a gaggle of parents to be indicted by US federal prosecutors on those further charges.
The extra charge suggests increased pressure from prosecutors on accused parents who have not yet signalled their intention to plead guilty; Huffman, who issued a statement earlier this week acknowledging her complicity, was not hit with a money laundering charge.
Loughlin and Gianulli stand accused of paying shonky consultant William “Rick” Singer around AUD $700,000 to ensure their daughters, Olivia Jade and Isabella Rose Gianulli, were admitted into the prestigious University of Southern California (USC).
Prosecutors allege that as part of the scheme, Singer used images of Olivia Jade on a rowing machine to prove she would be a worthy candidate for USC’s rowing team. She was admitted to the university. Olivia Jade never actually participated in the sport.
As it stands, things aren’t going too great for Olivia Jade nor Isabella Rose. Both students are effectively in enrolment limbo: they have been barred from enrolling in further courses while USC investigates, but they are also unable to withdraw from their studies.
Huffman will face a plea hearing next month, and prosecutors will reportedly seek a prison term of no longer than ten months. No plea hearing has been set for Loughlin and Gianulli.
