How Lori Loughlin Digs a Deeper Hole for Herself in the College Admissions Scandal
Earlier this year, Lori Loughlin, her designer husband Mossimo Ginannulli and several other wealthy businessmen and personalities were accused of bribery to what would be known as the college admissions scandal.
With little to no regard for the children's academic and athletic capacities, the children of wealthy people are to be admitted into specific programs in a university in exchange for money.
Felicity Huffman Case
The million-dollar scheme has put a lot of famous people in hot water. Loughlin and actress Felicity Huffman are two of the most recognizable names involved in the scandal.
Months after pleading guilty to the charges, Huffman is now serving her 14-day imprisonment sentence in a minimum-security federal prison in Dublin, California. Her sentence also includes a fine of $30,000 and 250 hours of community service, not to mention a year on probation.
Loughlin Not Guilty?
However, Loughlin, her husband, and a few others who were charged with Huffman took a different track. They blatantly denied the accusations, worsening the issue.
In Louglin's case, it was reported that in exchange for money, the employees of University of Southern Calrifornia (USC) involved in the scheme were to sign-up her children as athletic recruits -- particularly for the rowing team.
Andrew Lelling, the United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts, said that the charges were based on the investigation they were conducting on fraudulent cases of college admissions.
"The goal, from the very beginning, was to hold the defendants accountable for corrupting the once, clean process involving qualified children and their futures," Lelling said.
The federal prosecutors charged Loughlin with bribery when she allgedly agreed to pay to $500,000 to boost the chances of her daughters in gaining admission to USC. In their attempt to get away with what she did, Loughlin pleaded not guilty.
But it looks like the plan is going to backfire. The Department of Justice is seeking a longer sentence for Loughlin and several others. They wanted a much harsher sentence, considering how they have tried to manipulate the truth to benefit them.
Bigger, Heavier Repercussions
Loughlin, and together with those who pleaded not guilty, are now facing additional charges in relation to the college admissions scandal.
The grand jury from the District of Massachusetts added charges of conspiracy to commit a federal crime against Loughling and others.The new charge is considered the third superseding indictment brought to court by the Department of Justice.
The 11 defendants, including Loughlin, have allegedly paid off the employees of USC to facilitate the easy admission of their children. Though the arraignment dates have yet to be set, the defendants have been informed of the new charges.
The superseding indictments were filed to further their efforts to hold people accountable. Cheating, bribery and fraud tainted years of reputation of some world-renowned universities.
Now, the superseding indictments might just make Loughlin stay longer in prison than she would want.
