• Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Your Privacy Choices
  • Contact Us
  • Recalls and Product Safety Alerts
  • © 2026 ABC News
  • News

Lori Loughlin, Mossimo Giannulli agree to plead guilty in college admission scam case

2:48
Varsity Blues case to continue by telephone
Brian Snyder/Reuters, FILE
ByIvan Pereira
May 21, 2020, 2:32 PM

Lori Loughlin and her husband, Mossimo Giannulli, have agreed to a plea deal in connection with their involvement in the so-called "Varsity Blues" college admissions scandal.

The "Full House" actress will be sentenced to serve two months in prison, pay a $150,000 fine and two years of supervised release with 100 hours of community service, while her husband, a fashion designer, will be sentenced to serve five months in prison, a $250,000 fine and two years of supervised release with 250 hours of community service, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office in the District of Massachusetts.

They will enter their guilty pleas on conspiracy charges on Friday via video conference, according to the office. There is a provision in the plea agreement to wait at least 90 days after the judge imposes their sentence before they are sent to prison.

Related Articles

MORE: Federal agents uncovered the college admissions scandal by accident while working on unrelated case

"We will continue to pursue accountability for undermining the integrity of college admissions," said United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling in a press release.

An attorney representing the couple declined to comment to ABC News about the deal.

With this, the couple is becoming the 23rd and 24th suspects to plead guilty to the case, which was announced last year. Loughlin and Giannulli were accused of paying $500,000 to get their daughters into the University of Southern California as rowers, even though they weren't athletes.

Lori Loughlin, and husband Mossimo Giannulli facing charges in a nationwide college admissions cheating scheme, leave federal court in Boston, April 3, 2019.
Brian Snyder/Reuters, FILE

The couple was slated to go to trial in October for their charges.

They were among 50 suspects charged in the investigation dubbed Varsity Blues, which found wealthy parents who cheated college applications and entrance exams to get their children into elite schools. In some cases, parents bribed coaches who falsified students' athletics histories, including an instance where a real athlete's photo was manipulated to look like one of the students, prosecutors said.

In other cases parents paid for stand-ins to take entrance exams, according to prosecutors. The scandal took place between 2011 and 2018 and was spearheaded by William "Rick" Singer, who pleaded guilty and helped the FBI investigate the parents.

Related Articles

MORE: New evidence shows Lori Loughlin's daughter on rowing machine

He set up the system where parents would pay their bribes and cheating services, according to prosecutors. Singer was sentenced to three years of supervised release by the judge in exchange for his plea deal.

"Desperate Housewives" actress Felicity Huffman pleaded guilty to her role in the conspiracy and served nearly two weeks in prison.

ABC News' Aaron Katersky contributed to this report.

Up Next in News—

What to know about new Apple HomeView smart home display hub

October 13, 2026

Researcher speaks out as search for Amelia Earhart, lost plane narrows

October 13, 2026

Ella Langley's Tulsa show canceled over 'serious security threat'; police say no credible threat found

October 10, 2026

What to know about storm surge dangers as Hurricane Isaias nears Florida Panhandle

October 9, 2026

Shop GMA Favorites

ABC will receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Sponsored Content by Taboola

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your Privacy Choices
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • Shop FAQs
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap
  • Recalls and Product Safety Alerts

© 2026 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Your Privacy Choices— 
  • Contact Us— 
  • Recalls and Product Safety Alerts— 

© 2026 ABC News