On Friday Felicity Huffman got a prison sentence — and Lori Loughlin got a rude awakening.
Both women were infamously arrested back in March as part of the FBI‘s Operation Varsity Blues, which uncovered a widespread ring of college admissions fraud and bribery. 50 people were arrested, but as fan favorite TV stars, Felicity and Lori quickly became the face of the scandal.
Felicity pleaded guilty right away, making a public apology and throwing herself on the mercy of the court. A few months later, that humility and ownership of responsibility resulted in a sentence of 14 days in prison, along with a $30k fine and 250 hours of community service.
Related: John Legend’s Take On Felicity Huffman’s Sentence
How does Lori feel now that she’s had a weekend to process the Desperate Housewives star’s fate?
A source told ET:
“Lori has kept a close eye on Felicity throughout the case and after hearing her 14-day sentence, she’s been incredibly panicked. She can’t help thinking, if Felicity received real prison time, what could that mean for her?”
It’s a fair question.
Felicity was accused of paying a guidance counselor $15k to doctor her daughter’s SAT test. Meanwhile Aunt Becky stands accused of bribing USC officials with $500,000 to fake her daughters’ position on the school’s crew team, ensuring an athletic admission.
The disparity in the money isn’t inconsequential. Just like petty theft vs. grand theft, a bigger crime gets a bigger prison sentence.
But the real difference is how they reacted. Unlike Felicity, Lori and fashion designer hubby Mossimo Giannulli plead not guilty. The insider says:
“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. 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.”
They’re right to be afraid. After her not guilty plea, the Full House star was hit with a whole other felony charge of money laundering. The prosecution is playing hardball with them.
Apparently, while it didn’t change her defense strategy it did affect her sleep:
“Lori has confided in friends that she has nightmares about what’s to come and has been living with constant anxiety. Lori chose a very different path than Felicity and felt taking a deal was a mistake. She doesn’t believe she deserves jail time.”
That anxiety has apparently taken its toll on the whole family. The source adds:
“Lori and her husband worked hard this summer to hold their family together, but it’s been very rough.”
Of course, if Lori and Moss get sentenced to prison for 20 years, it will be literally impossible to hold the family together.
Do they really stand a chance of a not guilty verdict?
What do YOU think??
[Image via Sheri Determan/WENN.]
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