FILE - In this April 3, 2019, file photo, actress Lori Loughlin, front, and her husband, clothing designer Mossimo Giannulli, left, depart federal court in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)
Actress Lori Loughlin and her fashion designer husband, Mossimo Giannulli, have agreed to plead guilty to charges in the college admissions bribery case and serve two months in prison, according to court papers filed Thursday.
The couple agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud in a plea agreement filed in Boston’s federal court. The charge carries up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
Prosecutors have agreed to dismiss charges of money laundering and federal programs bribery that were added after the case was filed.
“Under the plea agreements filed today, these defendants will serve prison terms reflecting their respective roles in a conspiracy to corrupt the college admissions process and which are consistent with prior sentences in this case," said United States Attorney Andrew Lelling. "We will continue to pursue accountability for undermining the integrity of college admissions.”
An attorney for the couple declined to comment.
Loughlin and Giannulli previously pleaded not guilty and firmly insisted on their innocence even as other parents reached deals with prosecutors. The couple are the 23rd and 24th parents to plead guilty in the case.
Loughlin and Giannulli are accused of paying $500,000 in bribes to get their daughters into the University of Southern California as crew team recruits, even though neither of them played the sport.
Actors Diane Kruger and Kiernan Shipka joined Cheddar News to talk about their new series remake of the 1994 movie "Swimming with Sharks," premiering exclusively on The Roku Channel on April 15 with a full season drop. The series about the seedier side of Hollywood production had its own shoot interrupted during COVID — but it was worth the wait, according to Shipka. "To see the show in its final form come to light and be received by people well and have people talk about it, it almost feels like a little bit of a fever dream," she said. Kruger also addressed the show's focus on the cutthroat nature of the film industry, noting "It is definitely not an easy job to be an assistant in Hollywood."
Ann Mukherjee, the chairman and CEO of Pernod Ricard North America, joined Cheddar News to talk about Absolut Vodka’s decade-long partnership with the music festival Coachella. Perno Ricard's vodka brand has built the virtual world Absolutland in the Decentraland metaverse for users to explore. "We actually have a vending machine where you can actually purchase the cocktails that will be delivered right to your home," she said. The brand will also be featuring festival headliner Swedish House Mafia.
The tax deadline in the U.S. is on April 18 this year, and some filers may still not be able to complete their return by then. Cheddar has partnered with Jackson Hewitt to let you know what you can do should you blow the deadline.
Seth MacFarlane's foul-mouthed talking teddy bear is headed to Peacock, this time as a series. The show will be a prequel to the feature film "Ted," which is the highest-grossing original R-rated movie of all time.
Digitally native stores like Allbirds and Everlane are beginning to target the suburbs as they look to expand their physical retail locations. It comes as reports show that a large portion of shoppers prefer to make their purchases in store. A new Deloitte report shows that 55 percent of shoppers who began their product search online, ended up making their purchase in store. Nikki Baird, VP of Strategy at Aptos, joined Cheddar's Opening Bell to discuss.
A fertilizer shortage made worse from the Russia-Ukraine war is reigniting the conversation over sustainable agriculture. With the costs of fertilizer rising, weaning off of synthetic fertilizer may be a good option for farmers trying to keep costs low, while keeping crop margins high. But, Damian Mason, farm owner, agricultural economist and author of "Food Fear," says it's not that simple. Mason joined Cheddar's Opening Bell to explain the challenges of greener practices.
Americans racked up the most monthly consumer debt in over a decade in February. According to a report from the Fed, consumer debt rose by nearly $42 billion, an annual increase of roughly 11%, far outpacing expectations. Rebecca Walser, President of Walser Wealth Management. Rebecca, joined Cheddar's Opening Bell to break down this data, and discuss how this could impact the consumer moving forward.
The Dallas Cowboys have joined forces with cryptocurrency platform Blockchain.com as the NFL loosens restrictions on teams making such deals. The partnership won't open the door for crypto use at AT&T stadium but will provide for some exclusive fan experiences.
