The Latest In The College Scam Scandal
Lori Loughlin was arrested this week for her alleged ties to a college admissions scandal, and for her daughter Olivia Jade Giannulli. The Hollywood actress, as well as Felicity Huffman, is among 50 people charged in a $25 million college entrance exam-cheating scheme, according to court documents unsealed in Boston on Tuesday.
The alleged scam helped get students admitted to elite universities as recruited athletes, regardless of their athletic abilities, and helping potential students cheat on their college exams, according to the indictment.
Authorities said the FBI investigation, code-named Operation Varsity Blues, uncovered a network of wealthy parents who paid thousands of dollars to boost their children’s chances of gaining entrance into elite colleges, paid people to take tests for their children, bribe test administrators to allow that to happen, and bribe college coaches to identify their children as athletes.
“This case is about the widening corruption of elite college admissions through the steady application of wealth, combined with fraud,” U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Andrew Lelling told NBC News.
Loughlin and her husband, fashion designer Mossimo Giannulli, agreed to pay bribes totaling $500,000 to increase their two daughters’ chances of gaining admission to the University of Southern California, according to court papers.
As a result, Loughlin was fired from the Hallmark Channel while beauty retailer Sephora announced it has ended its partnership with Loughlin’s youngest daughter, who is a social media influencer. Olivia Jade Giannulli’s products are no longer available on the company’s website as of Thursday. Haircare brand TRESemmé also said it was ending its partnership with Giannulli.
By: Maytinee Kramer
