So, does this mean Lori Loughlin and Mossimo Giannulli are going to play possum in federal court?
Sources close to the former Fuller House star are claiming the 55-year-old actress is increasingly convinced she was a victim of William “Rick” Singer, the man behind the college admissions scandal, and not a willing participant enjoying the benefits of his bribery and money laundering scheme.
Related: Lori Is OK With Her Daughter’s YouTube Comeback, As Long As…
To that end, Loughlin believes her victimhood could leave her innocent of all charges in court — at least according to an insider close to the actress who spoke to People on Tuesday. It’s a risky line to take, as ignorance of the law is not an actual defense for committing a crime, but if the embattled couple’s lawyers can really prove these two were “hoodwinked” by Singer, they may have an out.
The source spoke more about this new defense tactic for Olivia Jade‘s parents, explaining (below):
“Lori was hoodwinked by Rick Singer. There’s no other way to put it. She was convinced that she was making a donation, just like parents have been doing for years. She did not have any intent to do something illegal, and in fact she thought she was doing the right thing. That’s why she hasn’t pleaded guilty; frankly, she believes that she is innocent and that the evidence shown in court will prove that. Unfortunately, it seems as though the prosecution is hell-bent on making examples out of people, and not playing fair.”
That’s one way to put it, we suppose.
Just… maybe don’t walk into court and whine “they’re not playing fair!” to the federal judge presiding over the case! Seems like a poor defense! Just saying!!!
Loughlin and her husband did just file a related motion in court accusing the prosecution of withholding key evidence which would seem to be a precursor to this latest claim.
Filed by the couple’s lawyers last week in District Court in Boston, the motion seems to set the table for ignorance, with the key passage here:
“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. If, for example, USC knew of Singer’s operation and accepted donations to the university from Singer’s clients as legitimate, then not only was there no bribery at USC, but also no fraud conspiracy at all.”
Again, ignorance of the fact you may be committing a crime doesn’t leave you innocent of that crime. But, if they can prove Singer truly conned them into believing their payments weren’t bribes but actually charitable donations, the crime could be Singer’s alone — and Lori and Mossimo would walk, potentially.
Then again, there’s no one for them to turn around and flip on!
As you’ll recall from the very beginning of this scandal, Singer is the one who turned state’s evidence, and he’s gone and flipped on all these high-powered parents! Not an ideal place to be for the former Summerland star and her fashion designer husband, to say the least!
The Apple Doesn’t Fall Far From The Tree?
In a completely separate, remarkably embarrassing story revealed on Tuesday afternoon, other court docs in Loughlin’s ongoing case have confirmed her daughters were lacking good grades in high school!
We already know school had never quite been the girls’ main focus, and new court filings confirm Lori herself had to push Olivia Jade and Isabella Rose to get better grades even in the midst of the fam’s alleged actions during the college admissions controversy.
According to court docs, Singer himself confirmed Olivia Jade was the one her parents were most worried about, as her older sis had been first successfully admitted to the University of Southern California after being recruited (falsely) as a member of the crew team.
Singer bluntly said during a deposition that the girls’ high school grades were one potential hold-up in the master plan (below):
“Lori Loughlin was in charge and told the couple’s daughters that they needed to do better in high school.”
Ouch! Allegedly admitted to USC on an insider deal, and you still need better grades just to work the con. Not a great look!!!
Also, that line paints Loughlin’s involvement to be pretty serious. We’ll see if her “hoodwinked” defense can overcome something like that, ya know?!
Related: ‘Grueling’ Prep Sessions Have Lori Ready To Fight For Her Freedom In Court
Whew. This whole thing is messy as hell.
The couple’s next court date is almost exactly a month from now, up in Boston; their trial will start at some point later in 2020. And you know we’ll be here the whole time, covering every juicy detail!
[Image via Guillermo Proano/WENN]
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