AFP, published on Thursday May 21, 2020 at 4:14 p.m.
American actress Lori Loughlin (“The House Party”) finally agreed to plead guilty in a bribe case that involved dozens of wealthy parents willing to pay to have their children brought in. prestigious universities.
Under an agreement with the prosecution, Massachusetts federal prosecutor Andrew Lelling will recommend a two-month prison sentence, according to a statement released Thursday. A favorable outcome for the actress, who was liable to several years in prison.
This agreement saves Lori Loughlin a trial, which was scheduled to start on October 5. It must still be validated by a Boston federal judge at a hearing scheduled for Friday at 11:30 a.m. (3.30 p.m. GMT).
The actress, who plays Aunt Becky in the series “The House Party” and her sequel, produced by Netflix, will plead guilty to fraudulent bank transfer, which was punishable by 20 years in prison.
The prosecution agreed to drop the other two counts of the 55-year-old actress, corruption and money laundering, for whom she was facing 25 years in prison.
She will have to start serving her sentence within 90 days of the conviction.
In the American legal system, the possibility of pleading guilty saves the accused a trial, but also, more often than not, allows him to benefit from a reduced sentence, or even the abandonment of certain charges.
Lori Loughlin is accused of having, with her husband, designer Mossimo Giannulli, paid $ 500,000 to an intermediary for her two daughters to be admitted to the University of Southern California (USC).
Through the brain of the operation, William Singer, the two daughters of the actress were presented as potential recruits of the university rowing team, while they did not practice this sport. .
Presented as a foundation, the organization of William Singer would have received a total of $ 25 million from wealthy parents wishing to have their children admitted to prestigious universities such as Yale, Georgetown or Stanford.
Most of the parents involved in this scandal have already pleaded guilty and some have already received their sentences.
Another actress, Felicity Huffman (“Desperate Housewives”), pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two weeks in prison, which she served in October.
Lori Loughlin’s husband Mossimo Giannulli also agreed to plead guilty to fraud and the prosecutor has promised to recommend a five-month prison sentence.
The prosecution will also recommend fines of $ 150,000 and $ 250,000, respectively, for Lori Loughlin and Mossimo Giannulli.
–
