The US College entrance scandal! Who are the accused? What are Mossimo Giannulli and Lori Loughlin facing?

The ongoing US College entrance scandal, dubbed Operation Varsity Blues is the biggest one ever prosecuted in the United States. While some said that this scandal is just the tip of the iceberg, others said it’s a harsh reminder that wealthy families can cheat their way into even greater privileges.

Who are the accused?

Federal prosecutors revealed that 50 people are part of the scheme and are involved by either cheating on standardized tests or bribing college coaches and school officials. The Universities have accepted students as college athletes even though the student had never played that sport.

Among the 33 parents facing the charges are actresses Lori Loughlin, and Felicity Huffman. Other administrative staff of the Universities includes two SAT/ACT administrators, an exam proctor, a college administrator, and a CEO who admitted that he wanted to help the wealthiest families get their kids into elite colleges.

Also read: Olivia Jade Giannulli’s classmate, YouTuber Harlow Brooks talks scandal, reveals facing threats!

Who orchestrated the bribery?

The whole scheme was orchestrated by William Rick Singer, who is the CEO of a college admissions prep company called The Key. Singer has been found guilty of the charges.

He not only arranged the staged photos for the student applicants but even arranged for people to take online high school classes in place of the real students. So those higher grades could be submitted instead! 

Singer has admitted that he has "helped" 700 families get into elite universities through bribing.

What are Lori Loughlin and Mossimo Giannulli facing?

Mossimo Giannulli, who is a fashion designer, and his wife Lori Loughlin, an actress who is best known for her role in Full House and When Calls The Heart is facing legal charges. They are allegedly paid $500,000 in bribes to get their two daughters Isabella Rose Giannulli and Olivia Jade Giannelli into the University of Southern California as recruits to the University’s crew team.

Neither of their daughters has reportedly ever competed in the crew. For the admission, the parents had simply sent photos of each of the daughters on a rowing machine.

Lori Loughlin, Mossimo Giannulli’s daughters Olivia Jade, Isabella Giannulli no longer enrolled at USC

Olivia Jade Giannelli, who is also a YouTuber said in her YouTube channel of over 1.9 million subscribers, 

“I don’t know how much of school I am going to attend but I am going to go and talk to my deans and hopefully I can try and balance it all. But I do want the experience of like gamedays, partying… I Don’t really care about school…as you guys all know.”

Also read: Lori Loughlin's daughter Olivia Jade Mossimo moves out of family's Bel-Air home

The resurfaced video was posted on August 14, 2018. She has brand deals with Amazon, Lulus, Marc Jacobs Beauty, Smashbox, Dolce & Gabbana, Sephora Smile Direct Club, Too Faced Cosmetics, Boohoo, Unilever’s TRESemmé and even has an Olivia Jade-branded makeup kit.

Now in the midst of the scandal, she is likely to lose the lucrative brand-sponsorship deals. She has already lost deals with Sephora and TRESemmé.

Also read: Olivia Jade Giannulli’s classmate, YouTuber Harlow Brooks talks scandal, reveals facing threats!

Both Loughlin and Giannulli have now been released on $1 million bail each and Loughlin had to surrender her passport in December 2019. Following the accusations, Loughlin has been officially dropped by Hallmark channel and has been fired from Netflix's Fuller House. 

According to TMZ, both of their daughters have dropped out of college in fear of getting bullied. However, a university spokesperson reported that both the Giannulli sisters are enrolled at USC.

Damage Control

The University of Southern California has reportedly fired senior athletic director Donna Heinel and water polo coach Jovan Vavic who are involved in the scheme. According to spokesman Gary Polakovic, “all USC applicants who are connected to the alleged admissions cheating scheme will be denied admission, while current students implicated in the scheme would be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.”

The University has also added that it “will take appropriate actions even against those who have graduated.”

Other Colleges are also reported to have stepped up to take similar action.

Also read: Lori Loughlin, Mossimo Giannulli faces new charges in college admissions scandal!

Short Bio

Lori Loughlin was born on July 28, 1964, to her mother Lorellee Loughlin, and her father Joseph Roy Loughlin, a foreman for the New York Telephone Company. Her birthplace is said to be... Full bio

Mossimo Giannulli was born on June 4, 1963, in Southern California, California, USA. His mother Nancy Giannulli was a homemaker while his father Gene Giannulli worked as an architect. He has a younger sibling... Full Bio

Olivia Jade Giannulli’s birth took place on September 28, 1999, in Los Angeles, California, USA. Her parents are Lori Loughlin and Mossimo Giannulli... Full Bio

Isabella Giannulli was born to famous parents on September 16, 1998, in Los Angeles, California, USA as Isabella Rose Giannulli... Full Bio