College Admissions Scandal: Lori Loughlin and Mossimo Giannulli’s Marriage Is Reportedly On the Rocks
Lori Loughlin and Mossimo Giannulli have been standing together since being charged with multiple counts of fraud and money laundering in the highly publicized college admissions scandal.
While some parents involved in the scandal opted for plea deals, the famous couple decided to fight the charges against them. They’ve even agreed to share the same lawyer. But behind the scenes, the couple is reportedly feeling the stress of the crisis, according to a new report from Us Weekly.
Lori Loughlin regrets not taking a plea deal
Prosecutors allege that Loughlin and Giannulli paid $500,000 to ensure their two daughters were admitted to the University of Southern California as crew recruits (a sport the girls did not actually participate in). The couple — who have been married for more than 20 years — proclaimed their innocence and decided to take their chances in court. But now it sounds like the former When Calls the Heart actress is regretting not accepting a plea deal.
“Lori was inclined to take the deal, but Mossimo said it would ruin both of their careers,” an insider told Us Weekly.
With jail time looking increasingly likely for the pair, the Fuller House star has asked her lawyer to see if prosecutors would be willing to negotiate another deal that would allow her to pay a fine and agree to home confinement, Us Weekly reported. But at this point, that’s probably not going to happen. And her husband is still convinced he won’t be found guilty.
“Moss doesn’t want any plea deal and is expecting to be fully exonerated,” a source told the magazine.
The ‘When Calls the Heart’ star is angry with her fashion designer husband
Giannulli’s behavior is apparently starting to cause tension in the couple’s marriage. Recently, the couple clashed over how they should travel to Boston for a court appearance. The couple’s lawyers and Loughlin thought they should fly commercial. Giannulli disagreed. Ultimately, he and his wife traveled via private jet.
“The couple was advised by their lawyers not to [fly private],” the insider said. “[B]ut Mossimo insisted, saying it would be a ‘zoo’ if they flew commercial.”
Outside court before the August 27 hearing, Loughlin appeared much more subdued than she did prior to her first court appearance in April, when she smiled and signed autographs for fans.
Their daughter Bella is worried her parents might divorce
The strain in her parents’ marriage apparently has her daughter Bella worried. She “is extremely concerned they’re going to get divorced,” the insider told Us Weekly.
Meanwhile, the couple’s other daughter, Olivia Jade, reportedly still has some “resentment” toward her mom, a source told ET. The 19-year-old was a successful Instagram influencer when the scandal became public and lost her partnership deals with major brands as a result. Now, she is apparently working with her dad, who founded Target’s Mossimo brand, to rebuild her business. But she’s also worried about what will happen to her parents.
“The girls are definitely scared for their mother and father,” the insider told ET.
While her family tries to weather the crisis, Loughlin’s friends are telling the 55-year-old that it’s time to cut ties with her 56-year-old husband.
“Her friends think she should leave him,” a different insider told Us Weekly. “But Lori refuses and says the ordeal has made them stronger.”
