MOMS IN SERIOUS TROUBLE
Lori Loughlin and Felicity Huffman are arrested in a college bribery scandal.
It felt like a scene out of a movie — only it was all too real. Released from jail after posting $1 million in bail on March 13, Lori Loughlin headed home to Bel Air in the back of an Acura SUV, crouching low to avoid the stares of onlookers. Along with dozens of other wealthy parents — including Desperate Housewives star Felicity Huffman — Lori and her husband, designer Mossimo Giannulli, 55, have been charged in a major bribery and fraud scheme that enabled their children to gain entry into elite universities without the proper credentials. “This is Lori’s worst nightmare,” Fuller House actress, 54. “All she’s ever said she’s wanted is what’s best for her daughters.”
Now she and Felicity are caught up in one of the biggest scandals to hit Hollywood. And the women — known for their squeaky- clean images — are left fearing not only hefty fines and sentences of up to five years in prison, but also shattered reputations. “Their teams have been in emergency mode. There really is no good way to put a spin on this,” notes the insider. “Felicity and Lori don’t even know each other, but the shame and humiliation is unfathomable for them both.”
BUYING IN
Of course, the ladies are innocent until proven gui lty. But as more details emerge, the worse it all looks. Felicity, 56, allegedly paid $15,000 to the mastermind of the $25 million scam, William Rick Singer, in order to have
a proctor unlawfully boost the SAT scores of her older daughter, Sofia, 18. ( Felicity’s husband, William H. Macy, 69, is believed to have known about the payment, though he was not one of the 33 parents indicted.) Lori and Mossimo, meanwhile, were said to have shelled out $500,000 to get their daughters, Olivia, 19, and Isabella, 20, recruited to the University of Southern California crew team — even though neither one of them rowed.
Fans are outraged: Felicity and Lori have been attacked online for allegedly using their privilege to cheat the system. And both actresses are worried about the long-term ramifications on their livelihoods. On March 14, Hallmark announced it had severed ties with Lori, the star of its Garage Sale
Mysteries series. “Felicity also has films in production,” the insider says, “and Lori has the final season of Fuller House.” Whether or not the pair are found guilty, they could pay for their association with this scam for a long time. “Lori and Felicity have tons of money,” adds the insider, “but no money can get them out of this mess.”