College admissions scandal: Mossimo Giannulli, Lori Loughlin’s husband, sentenced to five months in prison

Both Giannulli and Loughlin pleaded guilty

Lori Loughlin and Mossimo Giannulli exit the Boston Federal Court house after a pre-trial hearing on 27 August 2019. (AFP via Getty Images)

Mossimo Giannulli has been sentenced to five months in prison as part of the college admissions scandal case.

A judge accepted Giannulli’s plea deal during a virtual hearing on Friday morning.

Giannulli’s wife, former Full House star Lori Loughlin, received a two-month sentence a few hours after her husband’s hearing.

US District Judge Nathaniel Gorton said Giannulli's prison sentence “is sufficient but not greater than necessary punishment under the circumstances”.

Under the agreement, Giannulli, a fashion designer, will also pay a $250,000 fine and perform 250 hours of community service.

Both Giannulli and Loughlin pleaded guilty in the case. Loughlin is also required to pay a $150,000 fine and perform 100 hours of community service.

Giannulli spoke briefly during the sentencing hearing, stating: “I deeply regret the harm that my actions have caused my daughters, my wife and others.

“I take full responsibility for my conduct. I am ready to accept the consequences and move forward with the lessons I’ve learned from this experience.”

Prior to officially sentencing Giannulli, Judge Gorton told him: ”You were not stealing bread to feed your family. You have no excuse for your crime and that makes it all the more blameworthy.”

Giannulli, like Loughlin, is to surrender on 19 November.

The famous couple’s sentencing comes three months after they reversed course and admitted to participating in the college admissions cheating scheme that has laid bare the lengths to which some wealthy parents will go to get their kids into elite universities.

They are among nearly 30 prominent parents to plead guilty in the case, which federal prosecutors dubbed “Operation Varsity Blues.” It uncovered hefty bribes to get undeserving kids into college with rigged test scores or fake athletic credentials.

Loughlin and Giannulli had insisted for more than a year that they believed their payments were “legitimate donations” and accused prosecutors of hiding crucial evidence that could prove the couple’s innocence because it would undermine their case.

Their about-face came shortly after the judge rejected their bid to dismiss the case over allegations of misconduct by federal agents.

Assistant US Attorney Kristen Kearney said Giannulli displayed “a complete disregard for right and wrong,” and a “privileged and entitled attitude.”

“This disrespect of right and wrong deserves a meaningful sentence of imprisonment,” she said.

Giannulli’s attorney, Sean Berkowitz, described his client’s actions as “out of character.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report