Lori Loughlin Steps Out in Los Angeles After Rejecting Plea Deal in College Scandal Case

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Lori Loughlin Steps Out in Los Angeles After Rejecting Plea Deal in College Scandal Case

On the move. Lori Loughlin stepped out on Wednesday, April 10, just one day after Us Weekly confirmed that she rejected a plea deal regarding her alleged involvement in the nationwide college admissions scandal. The Fuller House star, 54, sported gold sunglasses, a light purple sweater and wore her hair in a messy bun while out in Santa Monica on Wednesday without her husband, Mossimo Giannulli, who is also facing charges for his alleged participation in Operation Varsity Blues. The pair were arrested in March and have been accused of paying $500,000 to secure daughters Olivia, 19, and Bella, 20, admission into the University of Southern California as crew team recruits, although neither girl has experience playing the sport. Loughlin and the fashion designer, 55, appeared in federal court on April 3 to face conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud charges. A judge informed them that they were facing a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison, three years’ probation and a $250,000 fine if found guilty. A source confirmed to Us Weekly that the 90210 alum and Gianulli turned down a plea deal on Tuesday, April 9, that would include a minimum two-year prison sentence. The couple were then charged with money laundering conspiracy hours later. “Lori is in denial and doesn’t believe she should have to spend any time in prison,” a second insider previously told Us. “She’ll go to trial before being separated from her family and take those odds rather than just go to prison as part of a deal.” Although Loughlin is prepared to put up a fight, Felicity Huffman, who was also arrested in March for her alleged involvement in the racketeering scam, pleaded guilty on Monday, April 8, to paying $15,000 to help her 18-year-old daughter, Sofia, whom she shares with husband William H. Macy, improve her SATs score. Scroll down to see photos of the When Calls the Heart actress in Los Angeles amid her legal battle.

Credit: SETC / MEGA

Lori Loughlin Steps Out in Los Angeles After Rejecting Plea Deal in College Scandal Case

On the move. Lori Loughlin stepped out on Wednesday, April 10, just one day after Us Weekly confirmed that she rejected a plea deal regarding her alleged involvement in the nationwide college admissions scandal. The Fuller House star, 54, sported gold sunglasses, a light purple sweater and wore her hair in a messy bun while out in Santa Monica on Wednesday without her husband, Mossimo Giannulli, who is also facing charges for his alleged participation in Operation Varsity Blues. The pair were arrested in March and have been accused of paying $500,000 to secure daughters Olivia, 19, and Bella, 20, admission into the University of Southern California as crew team recruits, although neither girl has experience playing the sport. Loughlin and the fashion designer, 55, appeared in federal court on April 3 to face conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud charges. A judge informed them that they were facing a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison, three years’ probation and a $250,000 fine if found guilty. A source confirmed to Us Weekly that the 90210 alum and Gianulli turned down a plea deal on Tuesday, April 9, that would include a minimum two-year prison sentence. The couple were then charged with money laundering conspiracy hours later. “Lori is in denial and doesn’t believe she should have to spend any time in prison,” a second insider previously told Us. “She’ll go to trial before being separated from her family and take those odds rather than just go to prison as part of a deal.” Although Loughlin is prepared to put up a fight, Felicity Huffman, who was also arrested in March for her alleged involvement in the racketeering scam, pleaded guilty on Monday, April 8, to paying $15,000 to help her 18-year-old daughter, Sofia, whom she shares with husband William H. Macy, improve her SATs score. Scroll down to see photos of the When Calls the Heart actress in Los Angeles amid her legal battle.

Credit: SETC / MEGA

Out in the Open

A source previously told Us that Loughlin, who is finally comfortable stepping out, “has felt very trapped” as the scandal plays out and she has not wanted “to leave her house or go out with friends.”

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On Her Own

Despite once having a very close relationship with Olivia and Bella, who are both still enrolled at USC despite having physically withdrawn, the girls now have a strained relationship with Loughlin and Giannulli. “[Olivia] was passionate about her career and now everything she built has imploded before her eyes,” a source recently told Us. “She feels they ruined everything.

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United Front

The Full House alum and the Mossimo clothing brand owner have remained by each other’s side throughout the ordeal and have been spotted together in public since their March arrests.

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Seeing it Through

Loughlin and Giannulli (not pictured) are supporting each other, despite the fact that their daughters have isolated themselves from them. Although Bella was recently spotted out with the actress, Olivia has been hiding out at friends’ houses and staying with her boyfriend, Jackson Guthy. 

“Lori and her daughters were so close, like three best friends more than a traditional mother-daughter situation,” explained another insider. “Lori always seemed perfect. She is humble, gracious and kind and her daughters are also so sweet, friendly and well-mannered. It’s clear Lori raised them well.”

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Together Until the End

Olivia and Bella have faced the repercussions of their parents’ alleged actions. “[Olivia] is still upset with her parents,” yet another source told Us in March after the social media star lost several brand partnerships. “She feels she is the victim.”