Lori Loughlin’s saving grace in the college admissions bribery scandal could be none other than… the USC crew team!?
The embattled Fuller House star may have gotten a huge assist in her defense case thanks to an ad for the college’s women’s crew team that seemingly poked fun at Olivia Jade and Isabella Rose’s lack of rowing “experience.”
The ad, obtained by TMZ (see HERE!), displayed a reminder for tryouts for the team’s upcoming season (September 2019, for those who want to start training) and came with the message: “No Experience? No Problem.” Ha!
Related: Lori ‘Shocked And Saddened That This Is What Her Legacy Is Going To Be’
Many took this as a jab at Loughlin’s daughters, whose parents allegedly paid $500,000 to have them designated as members of the women’s crew team — despite the fact that neither played the sport.
But as it turns out, the ad was no joke. The team shared a similar message from its Twitter account in August 2018 (below):
Want to become a Division I athlete? Look into joining our Trojan Rowing Family! #FightOn pic.twitter.com/zr5oRbzDLD
— USC Women's Rowing (@USCWomensRowing) August 17, 2018
So, that “no previous rowing experience necessary” mantra is just how the women’s crew team operates… and that could be very valuable for Lori’s defense.
According to sources connected with her argument, the 54-year-old actress is claiming she didn’t know the $500K payoff was illegal, regardless of their clear plan to pretend that Liv and Bella were ready to row. However, it’s important to note that the crew team’s “no experience” recruitment policy is only for USC students — not for people who want to be admitted into the university, like in Loughlin’s daughters’ case.
Still, it’s hard to argue that this poster won’t give Lori and husband Mossimo Giannulli, who are both charged with multiple felonies, a big assist when they plead ignorance in their upcoming trial, seeing as crew experience doesn’t seem to be essential.
Despite the fact that prosecutors have phone calls and emails where both parents admit to participating in the scheme, they have to prove criminal intent to land a conviction.
Interestingly enough, TMZ sources say that the couple’s lawyers believe they have a real good shot at getting a not guilty verdict. Prosecutors, meanwhile, are said to be trying to get the couple to agree to a plea deal.
As for Loughlin’s daughters? Isabella is in hiding and Olivia Jade has moved out of her parents’ house to “start a new chapter” of her life and focus on rebuilding her business.
[Image via WENN]
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