Lori Loughlin, Felicity Huffman Face Judge on Federal Charges
BOSTON, MA – APRIL 03: Lori Loughlin exits the John Joseph Moakley U.S. Courthouse after appearing in Federal Court to answer charges stemming from college admissions scandal on April 3, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Paul Marotta/Getty Images)
Lori Loughlin and Felicity Huffman appeared in front of a federal judge Wednesday afternoon on federal charges for their reported involvement in a massive, multi-million dollar college entrance scam.
The actresses, along with 13 other parents involved in the case, appeared before the federal judge in a Boston courtroom, where the case was first exposed.
The judge kept bond at the same amount previously set and the actresses surrendered their passports Wednesday, according to the LA Times. While plea deal discussions may be underway behind closed doors, the actresses did not officially enter into one Wednesday.
Loughlin was all smiles, even signing autographs before appearing in court, according to multiple reports. She waved to fans in a manner that seemed more like a film premiere than a federal court appearance. According to Boston Globe Now Felicity Huffman steps before the judge. She has a dark suit, acqua shirt, glasses. She's seated between two lawyers. Two other parents, Elizabeth and Manuel Henriquez also are seated before the judge.
STAR IN COURT: “Full House” star Lori Loughlin arrived at a courthouse in Boston for a hearing on the college admissions cheating scandal, one of several high-profile defendants appearing in front of a judge today, including actress Felicity Huffman. https://t.co/211MLyxade pic.twitter.com/E8KZLX9P7f
— World News Tonight (@ABCWorldNews) April 3, 2019
Loughlin and her husband, fashion designer Mossimo Giannulli, are said to have paid $500K to get their daughters into USC, lying about their participation on the crew team.
BOSTON, MA – APRIL 03: Felicity Huffman exits the John Joseph Moakley U.S. Courthouse after appearing in Federal Court to answer charges stemming from college admissions scandal on April 3, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Paul Marotta/Getty Images)
Huffman is accused of paying $15K to get her daughter extra time and corrected answers on her college entrance exams.
Mossimo Giannulli now answers questions from the judge, says he understands his rights. Lori Loughlin is seated with er hands clasped in front of her. "You can just all sign your (bail) conditions and you're free to go" Kelley tells them
— Shelley Murphy (@shelleymurph) April 3, 2019
Now Felicity Huffman steps before the judge. She has a dark suit, acqua shirt, glasses. She's seated between two lawyers. Two other parents, Elizabeth and Manuel Henriquez also are seated before the judge.
— Shelley Murphy (@shelleymurph) April 3, 2019
According to TMZ, prosecutors are adamant that the actresses should face jail time. “You can’t have people being treated differently because they have money,” a source told the site. “That’s how we got to this place. Every defendant will be treated the same.”
The federal investigation, dubbed “Operation Varsity Blues,” involves more than 50 people across the country and millions of dollars in fraud to get the children of wealthy Americans into elite colleges like Harvard, Yale, USC and Stanford.
Both actresses are facing up to five years in prison for conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud.
