Lori Loughlin has “been to hell and back — and will pay for the rest of her life” after being caught up in the college admissions bribery scandal that shocked the country, a pal tells Page Six.
The “Full House” star and her fashion designer hubby, Mossimo Giannulli, have agreed to plead guilty and serve time behind bars for paying bribes to get their daughters into college, prosecutors announced Thursday.
But a friend told Page Six that the case has taken a huge personal toll on Loughlin. “She’s the sweetest person, this has ruined her life forever, I feel like she’s already paid her dues at this point as this has been so stressful for her,” the pal said. “She’s been to hell and back. She’ll pay for this for the rest of her life.”
The case has also been hard on Loughlin and Giannulli’s relationship, the source confirmed, amid reports they had been struggling but would not divorce.
Loughlin and Giannulli originally vowed to fight the charges, proclaiming that they believed the money was a legitimate donation to admitted college fixer William “Rick” Singer.
The friend added: “I did feel at first that they should have pleaded guilty in the beginning, they’ve wasted a lot of money to get to the place where they are now.” But “I think she would have got more time if she had done that. I think with the pandemic, there was a thought just to get the case wrapped up quickly.”
Loughlin and Giannulli were said to have paid $500,000 to get their daughters, Olivia Jade and Isabella Rose, into the University of Southern California as rowing recruits. Neither girl was involved in the sport.
According to the prosecutor’s statement Thursday, Loughlin, 55, will plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and mail fraud, while Giannulli, 56, will plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and mail fraud and honest services wire and mail fraud.
Under the proposed plea agreements, Loughlin will serve two months in prison, perform 100 hours of community service and pay a $150,000 fine. Her husband will serve five months in prison, pay a $250,000 fine and perform 250 hours of community service.
Both recommended sentences are subject to a judge’s approval. The couple will enter their pleas via video conference Friday morning, according to court records.
“Under the plea agreements filed today, these defendants will serve prison terms reflecting their respective roles in a conspiracy to corrupt the college admissions process and which are consistent with prior sentences in this case. We will continue to pursue accountability for undermining the integrity of college admissions,” US Attorney Andrew E. Lelling said in a statement.