The days before Lori Loughlin and Mossimo Giannulli‘s next court date on January 17 are moving slowly, and the “entire family” is reportedly “in chaos right now,” according to a new source.
While the former Full House star and her husband likely thought they could fly under the radar ahead of their next appearance, things took a turn for the worse when they were surprised with a new federal charge from the prosecution on October 22.
Related: Lori Loughlin Is Unraveling As She Awaits Trial in Admissions Scandal!
An insider close to the situation shared with People:
“The entire family is in chaos right now. They knew this was a possibility, but they thought perhaps it was just a bargaining tool from the prosecution. Now that the charges are official, they are realizing that there is no way to avoid a moderately long prison sentence, unless they are found not guilty in a trial.”
The confidant explained:
“They feel like this is David versus Goliath. How do you go up against the federal government when the government has decided to make an example out of you? This stress is about to break them.”
Most recently, the US Attorney in Boston, Massachusetts charged 11 of the 15 parents involved in the College Admissions Scandal who had pleaded not guilty with a new crime: federal program bribery. If found guilty, this crime tacks on a maximum five-year sentence with any existing charges, bringing the couple’s potential sentence to a whopping 45 years.
Apparently, the families involved were each given a heads up and a chance to reverse their pleas, but only four parents chose to take the deals. Additionally, some athletic officials involved also had new bribery AND fraud conspiracy charges brought upon them.
Loughlin and Giannulli have maintained their innocence from the start, and turned down a deal previously offered to them by the prosecution which would require an admission of guilt. The insider continued (below):
“Does she regret not taking the deal? Of course she does, because it would have been easier. But taking the deal would have admitted guilt, and she believes she was duped by unscrupulous people who enriched themselves off of her. It is her position that she was not some sort of criminal mastermind.”
The source added:
“She just wanted what was best for her daughters. And it has turned into an ongoing nightmare.”
How are U feeling about this, Perezcious readers? Sound OFF (below) in the comments with your thoughts on how Lori is reportedly feeling!!
[Image via FayesVision/WENN.]
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