Former ‘When Calls the Heart’ Actress Lori Loughlin Pleads Guilty to College Admission Bribery
Hallmark actress Lori Loughlin and her husband, fashion designer Mossimo Giannulli, pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges regarding a college admission scam.
Loughlin pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and mail fraud, receiving a penalty of two months in jail and two years of supervised release. She will also pay a fine of $150,000 and complete 100 hours of community service. Giannulli pleaded guilty to the same charges as well as honest services wire and mail fraud, receiving five months in jail and two years of supervised release. He will pay a $250,000 fine and do 250 hours of community service.
Loughlin and her husband were investigated for bribing officials at the University of Southern California with $500,000 so that their two daughters admitted into the school.
Loughlin made a successful career for herself as an actress in Hallmark series, including When Calls the Heart and Garage Sale Mystery, as well as hit shows like Full House. Loughlin acted in five seasons of When Calls the Heart, but was fired from the show during the investigation into her involvement in a college admissions scam. Loughlin’s daughter, influencer Olivia Jade, was dropped as a sponsor for Sephora due to the scandal.
Despite Loughlin’s departure, fans of When Calls the Heart remained loyal to the show and its spin-off, When Hope Calls.