Sources close to former “Fuller House” star Lori Loughlin report she is “very concerned” after another parent defendant, Toby MacFarlane, received the longest prison sentence to date in the college admissions scandal – even after pleading guilty.
Fox News reports that MacFarlane, 56, received his sentence on Wednesday. The 6-month prison sentence came months after MacFarlane entered a guilty plea to fraud and conspiracy charges back in June. His sentence sent shockwaves through the other parents facing charges because this is the longest sentence handed down to a defendant thus far.
Loughlin And Giannulli Dread “Severe” Sentencing
Loughlin and her husband Mossimo Giannulli are particularly concerned about their sentencing because MacFarlane’s charges are similar to the crimes they are accused of committing.
However, one huge difference is that MacFarlane plead guilty. Yet Loughlin and her husband chose to fight their charges in the college admissions scandal.
“There’s a similarity to the cases,” a source close to the couple told People Magazine. “And they’re smart enough to see that. So they’re very concerned. If this guy pleaded guilty and was still given six months, what does that mean for them? If they’re convicted, their sentences are going to be very severe. Also, they face more charges than Mr. MacFarlane did. They’re very discouraged.”
RELATED: Lori Loughlin’s Daughters May Soon Be Charged, Former Federal Prosecutor Warns
MacFarlane’s Role In College Admissions Scandal
Back in 2014, MacFarlane paid $200,000 to admissions consultant Rick Singer to have his daughter admitted to the University of Southern California as a soccer recruit. Singer set up a fake profile for the girl. The profile declared MacFarlane’s daughter a three-time “US Club Soccer All American”. Even though the girl never received that honor.
Three years later, MacFarlane paid $250,000 to get his son into USC as a basketball recruit.
Charges allege Loughlin and Giannulli paid $500,000 to have their two daughters admitted to USC as members of the crew team even though neither girl ever rowed.
As you can see, MacFarlane’s offenses are eerily similar to Loughlin’s charges.
Loughlin Struggling Not to “Obsess” About Case And Her Future
So far, Loughlin and Giannulli face upwards of 45 years in prison if convicted. Should the parents of Olivia Jade and Isabella Rose be found guilty, they will likely be hit with harsher sentences than the parents who accepted responsibility for their actions.
Read the full story: Lori Loughlin Facing New Charges – Source Says She Is “Close To Her Breaking Point”
“It’s very hard for Lori not to obsess about this case and what her future will be,” the source continued. “She knows that she should focus on all the good things in her life, but it’s almost impossible for her to do it. This is hanging over her head every single day.”
It’s increasingly clear that Loughlin and Giannulli made a mistake in deciding to fight the charges against them.
If they want to avoid spending years behind bars, there’s still time to cut their losses and own up to any wrongdoing.
More About:Celebrity Entertainment TellMeNow