Loughlin gets prison time in college bribery scandal

"Full House" actor Lori Loughlin must serve two months in prison and her fashion designer husband, Mossimo Giannulli, must serve five months for paying half a million dollars in bribes to get their two daughters into the University of Southern California as rowing recruits, a federal judge ruled Friday.

U.S. District Judge Nathaniel Gorton sentenced the couple in separate hearings held via videoconference because of the coronavirus pandemic three months after they admitted to charges in the case that laid bare the lengths to which wealthy parents will go to get their kids into elite universities.

"Ms. Loughlin seemed very remorseful," attorney Keri  Axel said.

Axel, who watched the sentencing remotely, is not connected with the case. The former federal prosecutor said she "was very struck by her (Loughlin) allocution."

Loughlin initially appeared calm, showing little emotion as she said she is profoundly sorry for her actions. But when it was Loughlin's turn to address the judge, she forced back tears as she apologized.

Axel said the judge followed federal sentencing  guidelines "that could be zero to six months but could be probation."

"And so I think when the court makes that decision, then here the court took very strongly the need to deter people in general from doing these crimes," Axel said.

Axel believes if the "eyes of the world were not on this case" the sentence might have been more lenient.

Loughlin and Giannulli had insisted for more than a year that they believed their payments were "legitimate donations" and accused prosecutors of hiding crucial evidence that could prove the couple's innocence because it would undermine their case.

Both Loughlin and Giannulli were ordered to surrender Nov. 19.

(Image Credit Pixabay)