Lori Loughlin Breaks Her Silence After College Admissions Scandal – ‘I Was Down And Broken’

The former “Full House” star Lori Loughlin has broken her silence for the first time since the college admissions scandal that landed her in prison for two months. Today also happens to be her 58th birthday. 

Loughlin Was ‘Down And Broken’

Daily Mail reported that Loughlin went on KTLA 5 this week to promote Project Angel Food, a non-profit organization in Los Angeles that helps those who are dealing with food insecurity problems. Loughlin became visibly emotional as she promoted the organization, which she began working with as part of her community service sentence following her college admissions scandal.

“They have welcomed me with such open arms at a time when I was feeling particularly down and broken,” Loughlin said as she held back tears. “That’s how I found a home here, and that’s what I feel like they did for me, and that’s why I’m so proud to be here and working with this organization, because they really do care. It’s really a community.”

Loughlin went on to say that working with Project Angel Food over the past year and a half has been “one of the most rewarding experiences” of her entire life. While volunteering with this organization, the actress packs groceries and delivers them to people who are often unable to leave their homes. 

Related: See Lori Loughlin’s First Red Carpet Appearance Since Prison

Check out Loughlin’s full comments on this in the video below.

Social Media Users Fire Back

Unfortunately for Loughlin, her appearance promoting Project Angel Foods has been widely slammed by social media users.

“You are only sorry because you got caught,” one social media user commented, according to Newsweek. “You and your bratty daughters are an insult to every single hardworking and studious college scholarship applicant, especially middle class and lower class applicants who have the odds stacked against them.”

“Buying unearned opportunity costs others theirs. Nothing really changes in the U$. Not yet,” another user added, with a third writing, “I question how genuine this is.”

Loughlin’s College Admissions Scandal 

Loughlin and her husband, the fashion designer Mossimo Giannulli, were both arrested in March of 2019 for their involvement in the infamous college admissions scandal. They were 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 had ever rowed before.

After fighting the charges for some time, Loughlin and Giannulli ultimately took plea deals, with her being sentenced to two months in jail, a $150,000 fine, and 150 hours of community service. Meanwhile, Giannulli was sentenced to five months in jail, a $250,000 fine, and 250 hours of community service.

Loughlin served her sentence in Dublin, California, starting it in October of 2020 and being released at the end of December. Giannulli began his sentence in November of 2020 and was transferred to home confinement in April of 2021, about a month before his sentence was set to end.

Related: Dave Coulier Opens Up About ‘Best Girlfriend’ Lori Loughlin’s Prison Time

Loughlin ‘Made Huge Mistakes’

“They are both beyond relieved to have completed their prison sentences. Mossimo has to finish his community service, but then he can really move on,” a source told People Magazine last year.

“Lori is a wonderful wife, mother and friend,” the insider added. “She and Mossimo made huge mistakes. They have taken responsibility for them and just want to start fresh now.”

Prior to this scandal, Loughlin was a respected actress with a steady career in Hollywood. It remains to be seen whether or not she will ever be able to get that back.