Celebrities Facing Jail Time for Federal Offenses
Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin are two of more than 50 people named in an expansive federal case involving college admission scams and other bribery charges. Known for their roles in American Crime and Full House, these two celebrities are facing charges of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services fraud, which could carry up to five years in federal prison. Law enforcement experts expect Huffman and Loughlin to receive penalties between six months and two years in prison for their offenses if found guilty and will most likely be based on how much they cooperate with the federal probe into the case.
According to the indictment, more than 50 people were charged nationwide in a $25 million scam perpetrated by William Singer and his Key Worldwide Foundation. He promised to fast-track children of wealthy parents into the colleges of their choice, including the University of Southern California and Ivy League institutions, with the use of fake athletic credentials, phony SAT scores, and other bribery schemes. Huffman and Loughlin are two of 33 parents charged in participating in the scheme, along with coaches from top schools for their part in the conspiracy to admit these students.
Lori Loughlin and her husband, Mossimo Giannulli, were caught paying bribes up to $500,000 in exchange for having their two daughters designated as recruits to the USC crew team, despite having never participated in crew, in order to obtain admission to the school. Felicity Huffman was charged with paying $15,000 in an SAT cheating scheme for her eldest daughter and also paid an undisclosed sum to a person who controlled the SAT office in Los Angeles to fix her daughter’s incorrect answers. This led to a significant increase in her daughter’s overall scores, which allowed her entrance into a top college.
Federal Criminal Charges
Federal cases and the criminal process are vastly different than criminal cases at the state level, which is why it is critically important that you have a knowledgeable federal criminal defense attorney by your side if you are accused of a federal crime. Federal authorities such as the FBI, DEA, IRS, and others have significant resources to bring the best possible case against you and can be incredibly bold when it comes to gathering and obtaining evidence.
In addition, unlike state cases, a defendant in a federal case does not have the guarantee of a bail hearing and is only allowed bail after convincing a federal judge that your case warrants bail. The judge will look at a wide variety of factors in your case and your life, including your criminal history, sources of income, ties to the community, and more. Hiring an experienced attorney may be the only way for you to be released from prison and create a compelling defense instead of attempting to do so behind bars.
Talk to Los Angeles Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer Bradley S. Sandler Today
If you or a loved one has been charged with federal crimes in the Los Angeles area, do not hesitate to call or contact our experienced federal criminal defense attorney at The Law Office of Bradley S. Sandler today. Schedule an appointment to discuss your case and learn more about your legal options following a federal indictment.