The college admissions scandal took yet another shocking turn as former “Fuller House” actress Lori Loughlin and her husband Mossimo Giannulli claimed in court papers that federal prosecutors are concealing evidence in their case.
Lori Loughlin Accuses Government Of Hiding Evidence
KTLA reported that attorneys representing Loughlin and Giannulli filed a claim in U.S. District Court in Boston. The new claim states that a judge’s intervention is “urgently needed” in their case that involves charges of mail fraud and bribery, as well as other crimes.
“This court’s intervention is urgently needed,” the lawyers wrote in the filing. “The government is applying a flawed disclosure standard that systematically deprives Giannulli and Loughlin of information necessary to prepare their case and ensure a fair trial.”
As it stands, Loughlin and Giannulli are accused of paying $500,000 in bribe money. The alleged bribe got their two daughters admitted to the University of Southern California as members of the crew team. Even though neither of Loughlin’s daughters had previous crew experience.
The high profile couple claims that they did not know they were paying bribe money and instead thought they were making “legitimate donations” to the school. Case prosecutors previously countered that the two knew exactly what they were doing.
Lawyers Say Government Has Evidence That Would Help Loughlin And Giannulli
Lawyers representing the couple claim that prosecutors are withholding specific evidence that would support Loughlin and Giannulli’s claim. Specifically because said evidence would undermine the State’s case.
“The government appears to be concealing exculpatory evidence that helps show that both defendants believed all of the payments they made would go to USC itself — for legitimate, university-approved purposes — or to other legitimate charitable causes,” the attorneys said.
Rick Singer is the man who allegedly orchestrated the entire scheme. Singer previously told the FBI that he spun the payments as legitimate donations. Thu why Loughlin and
Giannulli’ attorneys say there is “strong reason to believe” the parents were deceived about the payments.
“Given these competing theories of the case, any statements by Singer as to precisely what he told his clients about how their funds would be used are critically important,” lawyers wrote in their claim. “Despite all this, the government has repeatedly denied that such evidence is material and has refused to disclose it to defendants.”
RELATED: Lori Loughlin Outlook Grim After Latest Sentencing Sends Shockwaves In College Admissions Scandal
All Requests For More Information On Singer’s Comments Have Been Denied
Loughlin’s lawyers went on to say that they only received a “one-sentence bullet point” summarizing Singer’s statements to the FBI. Adding that it was incomplete and would be “virtually useless” at trial.
Prosecutors denied all requests for further information calling it a “fishing expedition” that wouldn’t help the couple at all. They denied another request by calling it “overboard.”
Loughlin and Giannulli each face up to 50 years in prison if convicted on all charges.
This is yet another twist on an already shocking case that has captivated the nation’s attention. Imagine what will happen when Loughlin and Giannulli’s trial starts in the new year!
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