Lori Loughlin Pleads Not Guilty in University Cheating Scandal: NPR

Actress Lori Loughlin and her stylist husband, Mossimo Giannulli, pleaded not guilty Monday in federal court in Boston.

Both have waived their right to appear in court for an indictment.

Federal prosecutors announced additional charges last week against Loughlin, Giannulli and 14 other wealthy parents. They face a charge of conspiracy to commit a postal and telegraphic fraud and an honest provision of services, as well as a leader of conspiracy to commit money laundering. money.

Loughlin is best known for playing the role of Aunt Becky in Full house. Giannulli's Mossimo brand was one of the leading clothing brands at Target until 2017.

Giannulli and Loughlin are accused of having paid $ 500,000 in bribes arranged by William "Rick" Singer, a college admissions consultant, so that their daughters would be admitted to the University of California from South as rookies for the team, even if they are not rowers.

According to the previous indictment of the Department of Justice, Giannulli and Loughlin made payments in 2016 and 2017 to former USC Deputy Director of Sports, Donna Heinel, and at the Key Worldwide Foundation, which was operated by Singer.

The indictment describes how the Department of Justice built its record:

On or about November 29, 2018, Singer called Loughlin of Boston, Mass. During the course of the appeal, Singer said, in summary, that [Key Worldwide Foundation] was audited by the IRS, which asked about the two payments of $ 200,000 by the Giannullis. Singer added, "So, I just want to make sure you know that, first of all, you're probably going to get a call and I did not tell them about the girls going through the side door, by the door. crew, although they did not make the crew to enter USC. So I simply told them that you donated to our foundation to help underserved children. Loughlin replied, "Uh …" "

The eldest daughter of the couple, Olivia Jade Giannulli, is a beauty blogger with nearly 2 million subscribers. Since the arrest of her parents, she lost contracts with Sephora and TRESemmé.

Last week, other parents, including actress Felicity Huffman, announced that they would plead guilty to one charge of conspiracy to commit postal fraud and honest service fraud.