Lori Loughlin was apprehended as part of a sweeping federal investigation known as the "Varsity Blues" scandal, which exposed a large-scale college admissions bribery scheme.
The Unraveling of the College Admissions Scandal
The "Varsity Blues" scandal came to light when federal prosecutors uncovered a massive criminal enterprise designed to help wealthy parents secure their children's admission to elite universities through fraudulent means. This extensive investigation ultimately led to the indictment of dozens of individuals, including university athletic coaches, standardized test administrators, and affluent parents across the United States.
Loughlin and Giannulli's Involvement
Among the most high-profile individuals implicated were actress Lori Loughlin, known for her roles in Full House and When Calls the Heart, and her husband, fashion designer Mossimo Giannulli. Their alleged involvement specifically centered on orchestrating a fraudulent scheme to ensure their daughters' acceptance into the University of Southern California (USC).
Here's a summary of their alleged actions:
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Individuals Involved | Lori Loughlin (Actress) and Mossimo Giannulli (Fashion Designer) |
| Alleged Bribe Amount | $500,000 |
| Objective | To arrange for their two daughters' acceptance into the University of Southern California (USC) |
| Method | Through fraudulent means, presenting them to be accepted into USC as members |
Discovery and Arrests
The illicit activities of Loughlin and Giannulli, along with many other parents and facilitators, were uncovered through the extensive investigative efforts of federal law enforcement. This covert operation involved a series of wiretaps, undercover agents, and cooperators who gathered evidence of the elaborate schemes. Once sufficient evidence was collected regarding the widespread fraud, indictments were issued, leading to the arrests of those involved, including Lori Loughlin and Mossimo Giannulli, in March 2019.
For more details on the overarching scandal, you can refer to the Varsity Blues scandal on Wikipedia.
