Here's everything to know...
The college admissions scandal has dominated the headlines this past month, with the recently unearthed scheme reportedly being the largest college admissions scandal of all time.
The scheme in question reportedly saw parents bribe school officials and college coaches to get their children into top colleges, either by cheating on standardised tests or by getting the children accepted as college athletes despite often not even playing the sport.
According to federal prosecutors, 50 people took part in the scheme, but due to their high profiles, two actresses have been the most talked about, 90210 actress Lori Loughlin and Desperate Housewives actress Felicity Huffman.
But while both women could be facing potential jail time for their alleged involvement in what is being referred to as ‘Operation Varsity Blues’, they are actually facing very different consequences.
Felicity is reportedly looking at a potential 4-10 months in prison, whereas Lori Loughlin’s charges apparently have a maximum sentence of 40 years.
It is thought however that if she is found guilty, Lori will most likely face around three to five years in prison. But it does beg the question - how can the potential sentences for Lori and Felicity be so different?
Well, there are several potential reasons.
Firstly, there is the difference in the amounts of the alleged bribes, with Felicity accused of paying $15k to admissions consultant ‘Rick’ Singer, whose nonprofit organisation, Key Worldwide Foundation was allegedly a cover for accepting monetary bribes. Lori and her husband Giannulli (also charged) however allegedly paid $500,000.
Secondly, Felicity has pleaded guilty, releasing the following statement:
‘I am in full acceptance of my guilt, and with deep regret and shame over what I have done, I accept full responsibility for my actions and will accept the consequences that stem from those action.’
She reportedly continued: ‘My daughter knew absolutely nothing about my actions, and in my misguided and profoundly wrong way, I have betrayed her.’
Lori Loughlin however is yet to admit guilt.
The key reason however why Loughlin could be facing a longer sentence than Huffman if found guilty is her additional charge, with both Lori and her husband Giannulli being two of the 16 parents indicted on a money laundering conspiracy charge this week, something that if she’s found guilty of, will lead to a longer sentence.
We will continue to update this story.
