Lori Loughlin Steps Out in L.A. as She's Hit with Additional Charge in College Admission Scandal
Lori Loughlin was spotted in Los Angeles on Tuesday just hours before she and her husband Mossimo Giannulli were indicted on an additional charge for their alleged involvement in the high-profile college admissions cheating scandal.
The Full House actress, 54, was seen on her phone at a car wash in West Hollywood, dressed casually in pink jeans and a white tank top.
On Tuesday, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Massachusetts announced that 16 parents allegedly involved in the scandal — including Loughlin and Giannulli — had been charged in a superseding indictment by a federal grand jury in Boston on fraud and money laundering charges.
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Loughlin and Giannulli were among a list of 50 people initially indicted last month as part of the alleged nationwide scheme. Prosecutors alleged in the original criminal complaint against the couple that Loughlin paid $500,000 to admissions consultant William “Rick” Singer and his nonprofit organization, Key Worldwide Foundation (“KWF”), which prosecutors said was actually a front for accepting bribes, to have their 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.” (Neither Olivia Jade, 19, and Isabella Rose, 20, are listed on the USC women’s rowing roster.)
Singer has since admitted his role as the ringleader of the scam and has pleaded guilty to multiple charges.
Both Loughlin and Giannulli were arrested last month on a felony charge of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud. They were released on $1 million bonds and have not entered pleas.
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According to Tuesday’s superseding indictment, Loughlin and Giannulli allegedly “[conspired] to launder the bribes and other payments in furtherance of the fraud by funneling them through Singer’s purported charity and his for-profit corporation, as well as by transferring money into the United States, from outside the United States, for the purpose of promoting the fraud scheme,” a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office stated.
An arraignment date for the couple has not been set.
They face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Their attorneys have not returned PEOPLE’s requests for comment.
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A source told PEOPLE this week that Loughlin is attempting to maintain some sense of normalcy as she awaits her fate.
“While waiting for this to come to some conclusion, she’s trying to keep a somewhat regular schedule — going to yoga and pilates and seeing friends for lunch,” the source said. “She is very faith-based, and she knows her faith will get her through this.”
“She’s holding up well, given the circumstances,” the insider added. “She has a strong very strong faith that is helping her immensely. She loves her husband and her children very much.”
