Lori Loughlin gets 2 months prison in college scam after husband gets 5 months: ‘I made an awful decision'

Aunt Becky is going to prison.

A federal judge made it official Friday, sentencing “Full House” star Lori Loughlin to two months in the big house in accordance with her plea deal with prosecutors.

U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel Gorton approved the pact after sentencing Loughlin’s husband Mossimo Giannulli to five months in prison at a separate video hearing earlier Friday.

The spouses were convicted of paying $500,000 to get their two daughters into the University of Southern California as fake crew team recruits.

“I made an awful decision,” Loughlin told the judge. “I went along with a plan to give my daughters an unfair advantage in the college admissions process. In doing so, I ignored my intuition and allowed myself to be swayed from my moral compass.”

The actress said she regretted the way her actions “undermined” her daughters accomplishments and “exacerbated” inequalities in society.

“While I wish I could go back and do things differently, I can only take responsibility and move forward,” she said, her voice cracking with emotion.

“I will do everything in my power to redeem myself,” she said. “Your honor, I am truly, profoundly and deeply sorry. I am ready to face the consequences and make amends.”

The judge said he believed her apology was sincere, but he was still “dumbfounded” that even with her “fairy tale life,” Loughlin still participated in “bribery” to garner even more “prestige” and get her kids into college at the expense of “two other deserving kids who don’t have all of your advantages.”

“Isn’t that avarice taken to the highest degree?” he asked. “We can only hope you will spend the rest of your charmed life, as you have said you will, making amends for the system that you have harmed.”

Lori Loughlin departs federal court Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2019, in Boston, after a hearing in a nationwide college admissions bribery scandal.
Lori Loughlin departs federal court Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2019, in Boston, after a hearing in a nationwide college admissions bribery scandal.


Lori Loughlin departs federal court Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2019, in Boston, after a hearing in a nationwide college admissions bribery scandal. (Steven Senne/)

In addition to her prison time, Loughlin, 56, also must pay a $150,000 fine, complete 100 hours of community service and serve two years of supervised release, Gorton said.

Loughlin’s fashion designer husband, 57, was given his prison time along with a $250,000 fine, 250 hours of community service and two years of supervised release.

“I do deeply regret the harm that my actions have caused my daughters, my wife and others. I take full responsibility for my conduct,” Giannulli told the court during his video appearance.

“You certainly did know better, yet you helped sponsor a breathtaking fraud on our system of education and involved your wife and your two daughters,” Gorton scolded Giannulli.

The judge said both Loughlin and Giannulli must self-surrender and start serving their prison terms by Nov. 19. Loughlin asked to be incarcerated at the Victorville Federal Prison Camp near Los Angeles, but her ultimate assignment will be up to the Bureau of Prisons.

The back-to-back video hearings capped a contentious 17 months of legal woes for the celebrity couple.

In photos released by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Massachusetts on April 10, Olivia Jade Giannulli is seen with her face blurred posing on an indoor rowing machine. Giannulli and her sister Isabella, led by their parents Lori Loughlin and Mossimo Giannulli, were accused of faking athletic career as rowers to get into the University of Southern California in 2019.


In photos released by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Massachusetts on April 10, Olivia Jade Giannulli is seen with her face blurred posing on an indoor rowing machine. Giannulli and her sister Isabella, led by their parents Lori Loughlin and Mossimo Giannulli, were accused of faking athletic career as rowers to get into the University of Southern California in 2019. (U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Massachusetts/)

If Judge Gorton had rejected their deals as too lenient, the spouses had reserved the right to withdraw their guilty pleas and proceed to trial.

The high-profile pair initially seemed to take the lead fighting the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Boston in the sprawling case. The ultimately caved in May when prosecutors offered recommended sentences radically shorter than what they might have faced if convicted by jurors.

Loughlin agreed to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud. Giannulli agreed to a slightly stronger count of conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud and honest services wire and mail fraud.

For its part, the government agreed to drop the money laundering and bribery charges that were piled on the couple with superseding indictments.

Prosecutors said the couple worked with scam mastermind William “Rick” Singer and his fake charity to sneak the girls through a “side door” at the exclusive school using tactics including staged photos of the teens on rowing machines.

In this March 12, 2019 photo, William "Rick" Singer, founder of the Edge College & Career Network, exits federal court in Boston after he pleaded guilty to charges in a nationwide college admissions bribery scandal.
In this March 12, 2019 photo, William "Rick" Singer, founder of the Edge College & Career Network, exits federal court in Boston after he pleaded guilty to charges in a nationwide college admissions bribery scandal.


In this March 12, 2019 photo, William "Rick" Singer, founder of the Edge College & Career Network, exits federal court in Boston after he pleaded guilty to charges in a nationwide college admissions bribery scandal. (Steven Senne/)

The sham rowing résumé used to get Loughlin’s youngest daughter Olivia Jade into USC surfaced in a February filing, exposing how she was falsely portrayed as a “highly talented” coxswain who excelled at “direction and steering.”

The bogus bio claimed the teen won a bevy of bronze, silver and gold medals in crew competitions around California between 2014 and 2017, even though she never rowed on a team at all.

In paperwork filed Monday, prosecutors recounted a January 2018 exchange between Loughlin, Giannulli and Olivia Jade in which they discussed the possibility a counselor at the younger daughter’s high school might disrupt their scheme.

Olivia Jade asked if she should list USC as her top choice, and Loughlin responded, “Yes….But it might be a flag for the weasel to meddle,” prosecutors said.

“F--- him,” Giannulli purportedly replied, calling the counselor a “nosey bastard.”

“Don’t say too much to that man,” Loughlin then instructed her daughter, prosecutors said.

In this Aug. 27, 2019 photo, Lori Loughlin departs federal court with her husband, clothing designer Mossimo Giannulli, left, in Boston, after a hearing in a nationwide college admissions bribery scandal. Giannulli was sentenced to five months in prison on Aug. 21, 2020, on top of having to pay a $250,000 fine and fulfill 250 hours of community service. The sentence was determined thanks to a pact with prosecutors. Loughlin was sentenced to two months behind bars that same day.
In this April 3, 2019, photo, actress Lori Loughlin, front, and her husband, clothing designer Mossimo Giannulli, left, depart federal court in Boston after a hearing in a nationwide college admissions bribery scandal. A federal judge on Friday, May 8, 2020, refused to dismiss charges against the couple and other prominent parents accused of cheating in the college admissions process, siding with prosecutors who denied that investigators had fabricated evidence.
In new photos released by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Massachusetts on April 10, 2020, Olivia Jade Giannulli is seen with her face blurred posing on an indoor rowing machine. Giannulli and her sister Isabella were accused of faking athletic careers as rowers to get into the University of Southern California in 2019. Their parents Lori Loughlin and Mossimo Giannulli have pleaded not guilty to a slew of charges including bribery and fraud during the admissions scandal.
Isabella Giannulli is also seen with her face blurred posing on an indoor rowing machine in new photos released by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Massachusetts on April 10, 2020.
Isabella Giannulli is also seen with her face blurred posing on an indoor rowing machine in new photos released by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Massachusetts on April 10, 2020.
Agustin Huneeus, the founder of Quintessa winery in Northern California, center, arrives at federal court in Boston, on May 21, 2019, to plead guilty to charges in the nationwide college admissions bribery scandal dubbed Operation Varsity Blues. Huneeus was sentenced on Oct. 4, 2019, to five months behind bars, the longest sentence meted out to date.
Gordon Caplan speaks to the media outside federal court on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2019, in Boston, after being sentenced in a nationwide college admissions bribery scandal. Caplan, 53, was sentenced to a month in prison and ordered to serve 250 hours of community service and pay a fine of $50,000. When he first agreed to plead guilty in the case he said, "I take full and sole responsibility for my conduct and I am deeply ashamed of my behavior and my actions."
Felicity Huffman leaves federal court with her husband William H. Macy, left, and her brother Moore Huffman Jr. rear center, after she was sentenced on Friday, Sept. 13, 2019, in Boston, in a nationwide college admissions bribery scandal. A federal judge sentenced Huffman to 14 days in prison, 250 hours of community service, a $30,000 fine and one year of probation. Huffman pleaded guilty in May to paying a proctor $15,000 to correct answers on her daughter Sophia's SAT test in 2017.
Actress Felicity Huffman, escorted by her husband William H. Macy, makes her way to the entrance of the John Joseph Moakley United States Courthouse on Sept. 13, 2019, in Boston, before her sentencing for her role in the College Admissions scandal.
Actress Felicity Huffman, escorted by her husband William H. Macy, makes her way to the entrance of the John Joseph Moakley United States Courthouse on Sept. 13, 2019, in Boston, before her sentencing for her role in the College Admissions scandal.
Actress Lori Loughlin (R) and husband Mossimo Giannulli exit the Boston Federal Courthouse after a pre-trial hearing with Magistrate Judge Kelley at the John Joseph Moakley U.S. Courthouse in Boston on Aug. 27, 2019. Loughlin and Giannulli are charged with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering in the college admissions scandal.
Lori Loughlin and husband Mossimo Giannulli are back in court today to settle a dispute over their choice of lawyers. The Judge ruled Loughlin and Giannulli can stick with their law firm on Aug. 27, 2019.
Lori Loughlin and husband Mossimo Giannulli are back in court today to settle a dispute over their choice of lawyers. The Judge ruled Loughlin and Giannulli can stick with their law firm on Aug. 27, 2019.
Steve Masera, a former accountant and financial officer for William "Rick" Singer's Edge College & Career Network, leaves Boston Federal Court following his arraignment on March 25, 2019, in Boston, Mass. Federal attorneys in Boston announced on May 30, 2019, Masera, 69, will plead guilty to conspiracy to commit racketeering. U.S. attorneys will recommend a low-end sentence of 57 to71 months, a year of supervised release and as yet determined restitution, instead of the maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine.  Some 50 people have been charged including parents, college sports personnel and facilitators of the scam.
Marcia Abbott, left, and Gregory Abbott leave federal court on May 22, 2019, in Boston, where they pleaded guilty to charges in a nationwide college admissions bribery scandal.
Marcia Abbott, left, and Gregory Abbott leave federal court on May 22, 2019, in Boston, where they pleaded guilty to charges in a nationwide college admissions bribery scandal.
Agustin Huneeus, center, arrives at federal court on May 21, 2019, in Boston, where he is scheduled to plead guilty to charges in a nationwide college admissions bribery scandal.
Agustin Huneeus, center, arrives at federal court on May 21, 2019, in Boston, where he is scheduled to plead guilty to charges in a nationwide college admissions bribery scandal.
Gordon Caplan, center, arrives at federal court on May 21, 2019, in Boston, where he is scheduled to plead guilty to charges in a nationwide college admissions bribery scandal.
Gordon Caplan, center, arrives at federal court on May 21, 2019, in Boston, where he is scheduled to plead guilty to charges in a nationwide college admissions bribery scandal.
Former University of Southern California soccer coach Laura Janke departs federal court on May 14, 2019, in Boston, where she pleaded guilty to charges in a nationwide college admissions bribery scandal.
Former University of Southern California soccer coach Laura Janke departs federal court on May 14, 2019, in Boston, where she pleaded guilty to charges in a nationwide college admissions bribery scandal.
Felicity Huffman, center, gets into a vehicle followed by her brother Moore Huffman Jr., outside federal court on May 13, 2019, in Boston, where she pleaded guilty to charges in a nationwide college admissions bribery scandal.
Felicity Huffman, center, gets into a vehicle followed by her brother Moore Huffman Jr., outside federal court on May 13, 2019, in Boston, where she pleaded guilty to charges in a nationwide college admissions bribery scandal.
Felicity Huffman arrives at federal court on Monday, May 13, 2019, in Boston, where she is scheduled to plead guilty to charges in a nationwide college admissions bribery scandal. Huffman is one of 24 people set to plead guilty in the case.
Felicity Huffman arrives at federal court on Monday, May 13, 2019, in Boston, where she is scheduled to plead guilty to charges in a nationwide college admissions bribery scandal. Huffman is one of 24 people set to plead guilty in the case.
Actress Felicity Huffman arrives with her brother Moore Huffman Jr. at federal court on Monday, May 13, 2019, in Boston, where she is scheduled to plead guilty to charges in a nationwide college admissions bribery scandal.
Actress Felicity Huffman arrives with her brother Moore Huffman Jr. at federal court on Monday, May 13, 2019, in Boston, where she is scheduled to plead guilty to charges in a nationwide college admissions bribery scandal.
Mark Riddell arrives at federal court on April 12, 2019, in Boston, where he was scheduled to plead guilty to charges in a nationwide college admissions bribery scandal. A total of 50 people have been charged, including 33 parents, 10 coaches and college athletics officials, and seven others.
Mark Riddell arrives at federal court on April 12, 2019, in Boston, where he was scheduled to plead guilty to charges in a nationwide college admissions bribery scandal. A total of 50 people have been charged, including 33 parents, 10 coaches and college athletics officials, and seven others.
"Full House" star Lori Loughlin arrives at federal court in Boston on Wednesday, April 3, 2019, to face charges in a nationwide college admissions bribery scandal.
"Full House" star Lori Loughlin arrives at federal court in Boston on Wednesday, April 3, 2019, to face charges in a nationwide college admissions bribery scandal.
Actress Felicity Huffman enters the court to appear before Judge M. Page Kelley to face charges for allegedly conspiring to commit mail fraud and others in the college admissions scandal at the John Joseph Moakley United States Courthouse in Boston, Massachusetts on April 3, 2019.
Actress Felicity Huffman enters the court to appear before Judge M. Page Kelley to face charges for allegedly conspiring to commit mail fraud and others in the college admissions scandal at the John Joseph Moakley United States Courthouse in Boston, Massachusetts on April 3, 2019.
Two people hold cutout photos of actress Lori Loughlin outside federal court in Boston on Wednesday, April 3, 2019, where Loughlin is scheduled to face charges in a nationwide college admissions bribery scandal.
Two people hold cutout photos of actress Lori Loughlin outside federal court in Boston on Wednesday, April 3, 2019, where Loughlin is scheduled to face charges in a nationwide college admissions bribery scandal.
In this March 29, 2019 file photo, Agustin Huneeus, a 53-year-old San Francisco resident whose family owns vineyards in California's Napa Valley and in Oregon, leaves the federal courthouse in Boston after a hearing associated with the college admissions bribery scandal. Huneeus is accused of paying at least $50,000 to have SAT administrators correct his daughter's college entrance exam and to have the University of Southern California officials designate her as a water polo recruit.
William McGlashan, 55, of Mill Valley, Calif., a senior executive at TPG private equity firm, arrives at the federal courthouse for a hearing associated with the college admissions bribery scandal, on Friday, March 29, 2019 in Boston. McGlashan is accused of paying bribes to get his son into USC as a recruit for the college's storied football team, even though his son’s high school didn't have a team.
Assemblyman Phil Ting, D-San Francisco, center, discusses a proposed package of bills dealing with the recent college admissions scandal, during a news conference on Thursday, March 28, 2019, in Sacramento. Ting, along with Democratic Assembly members Evan Low, left, of Campbell, Kevin McCarty, of Sacramento, second from left, and Tasha Boerner Horvath, of Oceanside, right, unveiled a half-dozen measures that would require that three college administrators sign off on special admissions and a ban upon preferential admissions for students related to the institution's donors of alumni.
Rudy Meredith, former Yale women's soccer coach, departs federal court in Boston on Thursday, March 28, 2019, where he pleaded guilty to charges in a nationwide college admissions bribery scandal.
Rudy Meredith, former Yale women's soccer coach, departs federal court in Boston on Thursday, March 28, 2019, where he pleaded guilty to charges in a nationwide college admissions bribery scandal.
Donna Heinel, former senior associate athletic director at the University of Southern California, leaves following her arraignment at Boston Federal Court on March 25, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. A dozen coaches, athletic directors and test proctors are being arraigned in relation to the college admissions scandal on Monday.
Donna Heinel, former senior associate athletic director at the University of Southern California, leaves following her arraignment at Boston Federal Court on March 25, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. A dozen coaches, athletic directors and test proctors are being arraigned in relation to the college admissions scandal on Monday.
Jovan Vavic, former water polo coach at the University of Southern California, leaves following his arraignment at Boston Federal Court on March 25, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. A dozen coaches, athletic directors and test proctors are being arraigned in relation to the college admissions scandal on Monday.
Jovan Vavic, former water polo coach at the University of Southern California, leaves following his arraignment at Boston Federal Court on March 25, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. A dozen coaches, athletic directors and test proctors are being arraigned in relation to the college admissions scandal on Monday.
Gordon Ernst, former head coach of the men's and women's tennis teams at Georgetown University, leaves following his arraignment at Boston Federal Court on March 25, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts.
Gordon Ernst, former head coach of the men's and women's tennis teams at Georgetown University, leaves following his arraignment at Boston Federal Court on March 25, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts.
William Ferguson, center, former women's volleyball coach at Wake Forest University, leaves following his arraignment at Boston Federal Court on March 25, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts.
William Ferguson, center, former women's volleyball coach at Wake Forest University, leaves following his arraignment at Boston Federal Court on March 25, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts.
Actress Felicity Huffman is seen inside the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse in Los Angeles, on March 12, 2019. "Desperate Housewives" star Felicity Huffman is among 50 people indicted in a nationwide university admissions scam, court records unsealed in Boston on March 12, 2019 showed. A federal judge set bond at $250,000 for Felicity Huffman after she was charged in a massive college admissions cheating scandal.
William "Rick" Singer, founder of the Edge College & Career Network, departs federal court in Boston on Tuesday, March 12, 2019, after he pleaded guilty to charges in a nationwide college admissions bribery scandal.
William "Rick" Singer, founder of the Edge College & Career Network, departs federal court in Boston on Tuesday, March 12, 2019, after he pleaded guilty to charges in a nationwide college admissions bribery scandal.
John Vandemoer, former head sailing coach at Stanford, arrives at federal court on March 12, 2019, in Boston, to plead guilty to charges in a nationwide college admissions bribery scandal.
John Vandemoer, former head sailing coach at Stanford, arrives at federal court on March 12, 2019, in Boston, to plead guilty to charges in a nationwide college admissions bribery scandal.
CEO of Crown Realty Robert Flaxman, right, hides under a hoodie as he leaves the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse on March 12, 2019, after he and several others attended initial hearings following their arrests today in connection with an alleged $25 million nationwide bribery scheme to get students into elite universities in Los Angeles.

Giannulli and Loughlin were the 23rd and 24th parents to plead guilty in the nationwide college admissions case dubbed “Operation Varsity Blues.”

Former “Desperate Housewives” star Felicity Huffman, the other A-list actress arrested in the sting, was one of the first to admit guilt.

She tearfully confessed in May 2019 to paying $15,000 to rig her older daughter’s college entrance exam.

She was sentenced to 14 days behind bars in September, reported to jail in October and was released two days early.

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