college admissions scandal

Lori Loughlin Finally Pleads Guilty in College Admissions Scandal

Photo: Katherine Taylor/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

More than a year after the college admissions scandal known as Operation Varsity Blues, Lori Loughlin and her husband Mossimo Giannulli have finally pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges. The couple were among a group of wealthy parents who enlisted the help of a fraudulent college-prep program to get their kids into college by faking their SAT scores, padding their résumés, and bribing university athletic coaches. Loughlin, along with Felicity Huffman, was one of the most famous perpetrators in the case; her daughter, Olivia Jade, was its most notorious teen, an influencer who was partying on a yacht when the news broke. (Jade maintains that she had no knowledge of her parents’ fraud.)

Loughlin and Giannulli reached a potential deal with the U.S. Attorney’s office in Boston, according to the Department of Justice, then officially pleaded guilty via separate video conferencing screens on Friday: Loughlin to one count of conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud; Giannulli to one count of conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud and honest services wire and mail fraud. Loughlin and Giannulli were accused of paying Singer $500,000 to pass off their two daughters as rowing team recruits, including by having them pose on equipment.

Loughlin, according to the Justice Department, is hoping to serve two months in prison, pay a $150,000 fine, and serve two years of supervised release with 100 hours of community service, pending court approval. Giannulli will seek to serve five months in prison, pay a $250,000 fine, and serve two years of supervised release with 250 hours of community service. U.S. District Judge Nathaniel Gorton said during the teleconference that he will decide to reject or accept the terms of the deal after considering the presentencing report.

After the Hot Pockets heiress, Loughlin and Giannulli are the 23rd and 24th parents to plead guilty.

This article has been updated with more information.

Lori Loughlin Finally Pleads Guilty