BOMBSHELL EVIDENCE
LAWYERS SAY A NEW DEVELOPMENT IN THE BRIBERY SCANDAL COULD SEE LORI LOUGHLIN CLEARED OF ALL CHARGES
A new development in the college admissions scandal.
Almost a year after she and her husband were first charged in the admissions scam, Lori Loughlin is fighting back in court – with explosive evidence that could help exonerate her and her husband, fashion boss Mossimo Giannulli. The couple’s attorney, Sean Berkowitz, has filed a motion to have their trial date postponed due to newly released claims that the mastermind of the cheating scheme, Rick Singer, was told by the FBI to lie about whether parents knew they were paying bribes.
Berkowitz states in court documents that: “Singer’s notes indicate that FBI agents yelled at him and instructed him to lie by saying that he told his clients who participated in the alleged ‘side-door’ scheme that their payments were bribes, rather than legitimate donations that went to the schools.”
The filing sent shock waves through those involved in the scandal, in which many defendants have already pleaded guilty. Desperate Housewives actress Felicity Huffman admitted she had paid to have her daughter’s entrance exam mark boosted and served 11 days in jail.
“This is a defence attorney’s dream and a prosecutor’s nightmare,” says criminal defence lawyer James J. Leonard Jr, who is not representing anyone in the case. “This changes everything.”
Still, the Boston judge denied Loughlin’s request and set her and Giannulli’s court date for October 5. “They are not upset that the date didn’t get moved,” a Loughlin source told WHO. “Any new development that might challenge the prosecution’s allegations is good for them.” If convicted, the couple could serve 20 years in prison.
Last year, former Full House star Loughlin, 55, and Giannulli, 56 – whose combined worth is an estimated $133 million – pleaded not guilty to charges of fraud, money laundering and conspiracy to commit bribery after they were accused of paying Singer $755,000 to designate their daughters – Isabella Rose, 21, and YouTube star Olivia Jade, 20 – as recruits to the University of Southern California rowing team. Neither of their girls ever rowed. The couple have maintained that they believed they were making a charitable donation through Singer, and were not doing anything illegal. “Their story has never changed,” says the source. “This is why they did not accept a plea deal with jail time. It’s not illegal to make a donation.”
With jury selection starting in September, the source adds that the couple are “all good” and focused on preparing for the trial. “It’s like a dark cloud that won’t go away.”
“This is why they didn’t accept a deal with jail time”