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Lori Loughlin Sentencing Outlook: U.S. Attorney Seeks Harsher Punishment

The U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts addressed the sentencing outlook for Lori Loughlin in a new interview. If convicted for her role in the college admissions scandal, Loughlin should expect a far harsher punishment than Felicity Huffman The “Full House” star is among 50 parents and associates charged in the FBI sting known as “Operation Varsity Blues.” Loughlin and her husband, Mossimo Giannulli, pled not guilty to charges of money laundering and conspiracy charges in April.

Loughlin Sentencing Prediction

Fox News reported that U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling said that Loughlin should expect much harsher punishment than Huffman. Huffman was sentenced to 14 days behind bars after she pled guilty for her part in the college admissions scandal.

“We will probably ask for a higher sentence for [Loughlin] than we did for Felicity Huffman,” Lelling said. “I can’t tell you what that would be.”

Lelling went on to say that choosing to fight the charges, instead of pleading guilty like Huffman did, may come back to haunt Loughlin and her husband, Mossimo Giannulli.

Huffman Was “Least Culpable” Defendant

“It just happened to be that Ms. Huffman was probably the least culpable of the defendants who we’ve charged in that case,” he said. “She took responsibility almost immediately, she was contrite, did not try to minimize her conduct. I think she handled it in a very classy way.”

“At the end of the day, we thought the one month was proportional,” he added of prosecutors’ initial sentence recommendation for Huffman. “I think the two weeks that she actually got was also reasonable. We were happy with that. I think it was a thoughtful sentence.”

Lelling concluded his comments on the situation by saying that the fact that Huffman was sentenced to prison sends a clear message to others involved with the case that even the least-culpable defendant is serving some time behind bars.

Loughlin’s Role In College Admissions Scandal

Loughlin and Giannulli are accused of paying $500,000 in bribe money to have their two daughters admitted to the University of Southern California as members of the crew team, even though neither girl rowed before. They are set to go to trial in the next few months. Each face up to 40 years in prison if they are convicted of all charges.

Sources have said that Loughlin is terrified about what will happen next after seeing Huffman’s sentence. (Read also: Lori Loughlin Fears ‘What’s To Come’ After Felicity Huffman Gets Prison Time)

“Lori has kept a close eye on Felicity throughout the case and after hearing her 14-day sentence, she’s been incredibly panicked,” a source close to Loughlin told Entertainment Tonight. “She can’t help thinking, if Felicity received real prison time, what could that mean for her?”

“Lori didn’t believe Felicity should have pleaded guilty but now watching her situation play out, she’s been in fear of what’s to come for her,” the source continued. “Right now, her friends fear the prosecution wants to make an example out of her, not only for the crime she’s been accused of, but her not guilty plea.”

What will happen during sentencing, if convicted, must weigh heavily on the once beloved Hallmark star. Her fall from grace has been fast and hard. The current outlook is not good.

James Conrad

James Conrad’s passion for politics is only overshadowed by his longstanding interest in Hollywood. His unique perspective as a gay conservative fuels him to challenge celebrity views and those who think they have a right to tell anyone how to think or vote. James proudly wields his minority point of view to combat identity politics and cut through his typecast. Fun fact: James’ guilty pleasure is the British royal family.