I love that the Lori Loughlin criminal situation is so major that the weekly gossip magazines are covering it AND legit news outlets are covering it too. So today has a mixed bag from both. It was widely reported that Olivia Jade Giannulli was super-mad at her parents following their arrests. Olivia has been staying with her boyfriend in Malibu since she left USC, and Olivia has been partying a lot, because that’s all she wanted to do anyway. Well, now that Olivia or her sister are being targeted by the feds, suddenly Olivia is quietly reconciling with mommy.
Lori Loughlin and her daughter Olivia Jade Giannulli “are in communication” weeks after the fallout of the nationwide college admissions scandal, a source reveals exclusively in the new issue of Us Weekly.
“Olivia was angry with her parents at first, but now realizes that they were just trying to do what’s best for her,” the source explains. “Olivia loves her mom and dad very much, but is especially close with Lori.”
While Olivia has yet to post on social media or upload a video for her nearly 2 million subscribers, the source reveals that she is “focusing on how to turn this around so she can be famous for the right reasons again.”
I wonder if those “communications” came with a wire tap and a promise not to prosecute Olivia for anything. I mean… it’s clear that this family will turn on each other. I could totally see Olivia making a deal with prosecutors to provide testimony against her parents in a criminal trial. Speaking of, Lori and Mossimo want to know how much evidence the feds have on them:
Seventeen parents charged in connection with the college admission scandal — including actress Lori Loughlin and her husband Mossimo Giannulli — are asking prosecutors to hand over evidence, according to a motion filed Monday.
While the government has indicated discovery is “extremely voluminous,” the defendants have not received any of the evidence, the filing states. The legal team has also requested to suspend any major decisions until they can thoroughly review the prosecution’s findings ahead of the next scheduled hearing on June 3.
“Defendants would like an opportunity to review discovery in a meaningful way before filing of substantive motions in this case.” The motion adds that “litigating substantive motions in a piecemeal fashion and before Defendants have an opportunity to become familiar with the government’s evidence could substantially prejudice the Defendants’ ability to make proper legal arguments to contest the allegations.”
This is just a standard motion and of course the lawyers of the parents want a glimpse of the prosecution’s discovery. I would imagine Lori especially wants to know just how much they have on her so she can make some smarter decisions with a possible plea deal. But yeah, this isn’t the Jussie Smollett case where it feels like some local cops were just throwing sh-t at the wall to see what sticks. The FBI built the Operation Varsity Blues case over the course of many months, and they have tons of documentation, witnesses and evidence.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red and WENN.
I wouldn’t trust anyone named O.J., Lori, especially one that went to USC. 😉
Aunt Becky is gonna get a knife in the back if she’s not careful. She clearly doesn’t know what she is doing.
How stupid are they?
Very.
The feds don’t indict unless it’s a slam dunk. It’s general practice to hand over disclosure, but these people need better attorneys if they think they’re going to get one over on the prosecution. Disclosure is just going to tell them how much more trouble they are going to be in unless they resolve.
Yeah the Feds will have a water tight case, the idiots are just trying to spin it to make it look like they could get away with it.
The two morons really need to stop leaking to the press but then again this is the most media attention Loughlin has had her entire career so of course she is going to milk it.
I agree, the Feds had a water tight case before charges were brought to this large group. Why didn’t Lori and Mossimo ask to see discovery prior to this week? It seems a day late and a dollar short. Maybe these two are finally coming out of denial…
Not entirely accurate about the Feds or any criminal prosecution. First with a grand jury the feds could indict a ham sandwich. I’m not the first to say this, the standard is pretty low for grand jury indictments. Generally they use this for leverage as most cases plea out to lesser charges over 90% now. This is why if they don’t feel they are getting anywhere they add a charge, or go after others like the kids, to get it to a plea. They will plea, it’s just her case was more complicated and expensive so it takes a bit more time. Plus I really doubt the Feds are putting a lot more effort into Lori Laughlin beyond this part, it would be a waste of assets. It’s not like she’s a big of a portion of the scheme. She’s great for gossip and a bit for deterrence, but the schemes not known are most likely where they are investigating. Who really thinks these idiots with their sloppy scheme are the only ones doing this? I’m worried about the better concocted plans. Georgetown actually discovered their tennis coach first before the feds called them. This was on a sport they generally don’t look at much. I’m guessing they are looking for others, as you have to feel these rich privileged parents know the others who might have similar schemes. Seriously, was this their only option? Highly doubt it.
It’s just kind of dangerous to assume the feds have a sure fire thing, when it’s not always the case. Sometimes people just take the easy way out cause it’s not like the feds are going to pay your lawyer or for your time. Granted as the feds have let out a lot of info this seems pretty clear, but who knows.
Yeah, maybe the feds are assuming that they’ll get the remaining stragglers to plead out eventually, but it’s not like they can go to trial without full discovery. And by rejecting the initial plea offer, the remaining defendants have basically said bring on the trial, let’s see what ya got. So, it is definitely the government’s turn to show what it has. It’s not Matlock, the government can’t show up at trial with some surprise piece of evidence to nail them. No, the defendants are entitled to pre-trial discovery. Makes me think the government’s tactics vis-a-vis the kids are to force a plea deal? It definitely saves money over a trial (and paying some low-level prosecutors to do the doc review necessary for full doc disclosure), but I think it’s the government that’s playing this a day late and a dollar short. You got solid evidence on the kids? Indict ‘em. Try to get them to flip on their parents. Try to get them all to plead out. But you still have to proceed as if this is trial-track! Which it is, since the parents at least have pleaded innocent and rejected your plea offers. The possibility of future plea deals does not eliminate the government’s pre-trial duty to show its hand w/ respect to the evidence it plans to adduce at trial.
I think this is just the tip of the iceberg of a bigger, wider, scheme. I like your clear and explanatory post.
Is shilling products on IG the “right” reason to be famous?
These people are bonkers.
Wellsie, I read “hookers” and still thought this was accurate. I stand by that.
Aunt Becky seems to believe her own PR machine: she’s a loving Christian mom, she has a close family, she was acting in the best interest of her children, and her faith will get her through.
Documentation, witnesses and evidence, oh my!
Olivia Jade, on the other hand, will do what ever needs to be done to continue her vapid lifestyle. They are playing two different games.
These morons really think the Feds are going to hand over all the evidence against them
Their lawyers are terrible for not advising them how serious federal charges are and how likely they are to be found guilty.
In the U.K. it would be against the rules for the prosecution NOT to hand over all the evidence they intend to rely on. Is it different in the US?
No, full disclosure is the law. However, it takes a bit of time. They have to make reasonable requests (you can’t just say give me your evidence; you have to call for the documentation you are legally privileged to) and that does not equate to “Show me all of your cards!” Just a bit of insight (from Canada 🙂 )
Basically they can make specific requests but you can’t demand anything you want – the feds would have to submit all final evidence a set amount of time before trial, but not necessarily today or immediately. They can leave them dangling and sweating.
I went through a strenuous law suit (okay, 4 lawsuits) against my ex and the key was timing – you play your cards when needed, and slam dunk when you’re ready.
That’s right. From what I understand, asking for full disclosure is normal even if its from the feds. It’s in the Feds favor to release info anyways. Lori and the other parents may be more apt to accept another plea deal later on (if its offered) when they realize they are screwed.
In the US, the defendants are entitled to anything that the government might use against them at trial. The government cannot adduce any evidence at trial that has not been previously disclosed. There’s no Matlockesque “a-ha!” Moment where the govt nails you with surprise evidence. If that evidence was withheld, no bueno for the govt.
It’s particularly bad if a govt prosecutor is in possession of evidence tending to negate the charges/suggest innocence, and doesn’t turn that over…
So yeah, the law is totally on the defendants’ side here. The govt has to disclose whatever evidence it has if it plans to use it against them, and stalling tactics by the govt just make the defendants more sympathetic, so pay the lackeys OT and get the discovery document review ball rolling already… don’t ruin a well-played investigation with lazy prosecution.
I’m seriously sick of this story. Enough about Lori Loughlin.
Aunt Becky got to shut up first before the story dies down. She hasn’t yet
This is her D-list Norma Desmond moment. She’s never been this well-known, and seems unable to let it go.
i wonder how olivia thinks her mom getting her into a university she was obvioulsly academically underqualified to attend is doing “what’s best for her.” mom was clearly setting her daughter up for failure just to make herself look good but I guess mom has already brainwashed her girls into believing whatever she does for them is automatically good because “mom knows what’s best for you.” yuck.
She wants to see the evidence? One of the pieces of evidence is when that Singer guy called her months ago and told her if the IRS asks she is to tell them the money they gave the school was for a donation for underprivileged kids or some sh*t. That was after Singer was busted and had to trap all the parents by making recorded phone calls. Not to mention the few emails that have been made public between Singer, Lori and Mossimo.
Beautiful observation. Do these kids not know who they’re playing with?
God this shit entices me to go straight to law school.
Good. Then you’ll learn all about mandatory disclosure. 😉
The Cook County State Attorney allegedly texted ( phew to avoid naming lol) that Jussie had been overcharged so I would not be at all surprised if the same thing is happening here. Its the colleges that need to look at their application processes.
Lol aunt Becky really showed herself didnt she. I always thought she was nice and sweet. Guess shes a better actress then I thought
My thoughts EXACTLY!
The blinds are suggesting that prosecutors will leverage the daughter to get a plea deal, and that Lori or her husband will try to negotiate so that only one of the parents takes the fall.
So messy.
“so she can be famous for the right reasons again.” Being a daughter of a D list celebrity and a fashion designer is a “right reason” to be famous???
They all sound awful, and stupid. They should have taken the pleas earlier, because there must be a ton of evidence with this whole operation, and it’s going to cost them so much in legal fees alone.
A “fashion designer” Ew….
Sure honey you can see all of that and then some during the discovery process. These idiots make it sound like this is a game of hide the ball. Why don’t they check out a copy of My Cousin Vinny to see how a criminal case works? A few of the attys in the office I used to work for said that the movie as on the nose regarding procedure.
Of course OJ would reconcile with mommy. The feds are breathing down her neck and she doesn’t know what to do. I guess she can do what the Giudice daughter did re her dad’s imminent deportation – beg Orangino for a pardon. I’m sure he’ll do that if OJ wants to be the next Mrs. Dump.
Looks like the USC coach who helped OJ and sis get in pled out. She’s agreed to cooperate with the prosecution. This is more than a ham sandwich indictment and it’s looking like the feds have a real case.
If that NY atty pleaded out for helping his son cheat then that’s a warning to the rest of the folks. The attorney knows how things work and even he thought he can’t beat it. Enough said
Can I just say that I love that the picture CB keeps posting with these stories is that hideous “Hallmark Movie Watching” sweatshirt? You know Lori was loathe to wear something so cheap and tacky looking. It’s like whomever made it specifically didn’t go for a nice looking font – they wanted it to look like an iron-on. Petty and amazing.
Normally, I am pretty chill. But in this case, I want her to go DOWN. Her arrogance and refusal to take responsibility makes me despise her.