Following their respective arrests in February for their alleged involvement in the college admissions scam case that has gained the attention of the nation, actors Lori Loughlin and Felicity Huffman appeared in court in Boston on Wednesday, April 3. In addition to Loughlin and Huffman, Loughlin’s husband, Mossimo Giannulli, also appeared in court as he is also charged in this case.
According to People, Loughlin and Huffman appeared in court so the judge could read them their exact charges. Although not clearly stated, People’s report implies that Huffman appeared in court before Loughlin. It’s unclear if Loughlin, Huffman and Giannulli will enter pleas on Wednesday as well, although it’s certainly a possibility. This is the first time that all three celebrities have appeared in a courtroom since they were initially indicted back in March.
We also know that Loughlin and Giannulli’s court hearing lasted approximately six minutes. During that time, the couple waived their right for a preliminary hearing and agreed to several pretrial conditions, including surrendering their passports and no possession of firearms. Huffman’s hearing lasted approximately three minutes and during that time, she agreed to the same conditions as Loughlin and Giannulli. Additionally, for all three celebs, if any of them need to travel for work or emergencies, they must petition the court to get their passports back.
People also reported that Loughlin was apparently keeping it light as she made her way into the courtroom, allegedly laughing at jokes and, perhaps most baffling of all, was spotted signing autographs for fans waiting outside of her hotel the day before she appeared in court. According to one person who spoke with People, Loughlin “was chatty and willing to sign autographs.” Another fan, Robert Schepis, spoke with People about interacting with Loughlin on Tuesday, describing their interaction: “She came over and she goes, ‘Guys, thanks for being such good fans. Oh my God, I love RAD [a 1986 film Loughlin starred in]. Thank you so much for waiting for me.'”
Since their initial arrests, Loughlin, Giannulli, Huffman and husband William H. Macy have all stayed fairly quiet. None of them have released any official statements about their legal situation. Loughlin and her husband are accused of paying $500,000 to get their daughters into the University of Southern California. Huffman is alleged to have paid $15,000 to get her daughter a 400-point boost on the SAT exam.
That said, their falls from grace have been swift and punishing. Huffman has largely shouldered the legal trouble despite her husband, who doesn’t face any charges, possibly being involved as well. Huffman has no projects currently in the works, and it remains to be seen whether she will sign on for any work before this case is complete. Loughlin has lost two of her biggest acting gigs, both with the Hallmark Channel, but has received the public support from her Fuller House costars.
This is a developing story.
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