Lori Loughlin and Felicity Huffman appear in federal court, do not enter pleas

Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin were among the 13 parents who appeared in federal court in Boston on Wednesday for their alleged involvement in the $25 million college admissions scandal. The Full House actress was greeted by both fans and detractors as she made her way inside for the hearing.

Huffman, 56, and Loughlin, 54, are each charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud. The FBI charged a total of 50 people in the sting called “Operation Varsity Blues.” The stars appeared before federal Magistrate Judge M. Page Kelley who set conditions for their release. They were not expected to enter pleas.

Judge Kelley told all defendants that she will keep their initial bond and is not inclined to grant international travel. She also rejected the prosecution’s request for the parents to be forbidden from discussing the case with their children, explaining it’s not realistic. However, she cautioned them from doing anything that would be viewed as obstruction of justice as the kids are potential witnesses in the case.

Loughlin and her husband, designer Mossimo Giannulli, told the judge they understood their rights, signed their bail conditions and were free to go, per local reports.

Huffman went through the same process before the judge as did all of the other defendants. After signing her papers, she was also free to go.

Neither Loughlin nor Huffman has publicly commented about the allegations.

Federal prosecutors are seeking potential deals with some of the defendants, according to the Los Angeles Times, but it’s unclear with which parents. They have also been pressuring some of the defendants to cooperate or face more charges. Plea deals could still mean prison time. The deadline for a grand jury to hand down additional charges is April 11.

Prosecutors allege that Huffman paid $15,000 disguised as a charitable donation to admissions consultant William “Rick” Singer and his nonprofit organization to help boost the score on her daughter’s college-entrance exam. Singer has pleaded guilty and is cooperating with federal investigators. The Desperate Housewives actress appeared in federal court in Los Angeles last month and was released on $250,000 bail. Her husband, Shameless star William H. Macy, was not charged despite the FBI affidavit describing him as participating in the scheme. He was not spotted at court Wednesday. Huffman was apparently accompanied by her brother.

Loughlin and Giannulli are accused of agreeing “to pay bribes totaling $500,000 in exchange for having their two daughters designated as recruits to the USC crew team — despite the fact that they did not participate in crew — thereby facilitating their admission to USC,” according to the released indictment. Giannulli and Loughlin were granted release last month on $1 million bond.

The Fuller House actress didn’t seem fazed prior to Wednesday’s preliminary hearing, turning the streets of Boston into a red carpet. Loughlin signed autographs for about 20 fans and posed for photos, according to People, telling the crowd, “Thanks for being such good fans.” Although Loughlin was dropped by the Hallmark Channel after news of the scandal broke, it’s her influencer daughter Olivia Jade who is dealing with much of the fallout.

Jade — who allegedly didn’t fill out her own application to USC — is a popular beauty blogger and YouTube star. She has been trolled online and has seen numerous sponsorship deals dropped over the past several weeks. Sephora and TRESemmé are a few of the brands that announced they were cutting ties with the 19-year-old.

Jade and her 20-year-old sister, Isabella, were still enrolled at USC as of last week. The university told Yahoo Entertainment in a statement it is conducting “a case-by-case review for current students and graduates that may be connected to the scheme alleged by the government. We will make informed, appropriate decisions once those reviews have been completed.”

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