Lori Loughlin, Husband Waive Right To Separate Attorneys In College Admissions Case
BOSTON (CBS/AP) — Actress Lori Loughlin and her fashion designer husband, Mossimo Giannulli, can continue using a law firm that recently represented the University of Southern California, a judge said in Boston federal court Tuesday afternoon. The school is an alleged victim in the couple's sweeping college admissions bribery case.
Prosecutors argued it posed a potential conflict of interest. Loughlin and Giannulli said the firm's work for USC was unrelated to the admissions case and was handled by different lawyers.
The judge is expected to rule later on a potential conflict with another firm representing the couple that also represents other defendants in the case.
The couple also waived their rights to having separate attorneys, which means they will share a legal team. A source told People magazine they want the same attorneys to show a "united front."
According to attorney Phil Tracy, such court appearances are common. "They don't want them to be able to appeal later on and say 'we didn't know that having the same lawyer could be to our detriment if they are sent to jail, which is a very real possibility," he said.
Loughlin and Giannulli are accused of paying $500,000 to have their two daughters labeled as recruits to the USC crew team, even though neither participated in the sport.
They have pleaded not guilty.
Unlike her first court appearance, the couple was stonefaced and avoided interacting with reporters and fans while walking inside. "They said, look, we're going to go in and out, don't say a word," said Tracy. "Her first appearance in court was an absolute joke."
He said court appearances to discuss attorn
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