Never trust the word of a con artist. A source close to the 54-year-old actress tells reporters that the actress feels like those who orchestrated the scheme misled her about the severity of her involvement.
“(Lori and her husband) claim they were under the impression they might be breaking rules, but not laws, they feel they were manipulated by those involved and are planning that as part of their defense.”
“They realize how serious the charges are, but feel that once the judge hers their story he will see they had no bad intensions,” the source adds.
The couple pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including a recently added superseding indictment on conspiring to committing fraud and money lauding.
“They in no way felt they were money laundering,” the source says “They thought the money would be used for a donation and to benefit the school. Even so, this has been one of the toughest decisions of Lori’s life.”
The charge of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and honest service mail and wire fraud provides for maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,00 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The charge of conspiracy to commit money laundering provides for a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $500,000 or twice the value of the property involved in the money laundering.
Many experts believe that the chance of sentencing that severe is almost nonexistent.
“When Lori heard the number of years she could spend in prison she broke down crying. The thought of being separated from her loved ones for years brought her to her knees,” the source added.
The couple’s friends are “incredibly worried” about their decision to plead not guilty.
Up until the second superseding indictment, Loughlin didn’t believe she would face the possibility of serving time prison.
“Lori still believed in the end she would just get a slap on the wrist, at this point she is getting complete clarity and she’s scared and in terrible shape.”
“The reality of the situation has finally hit her like a ton of bricks,” the source added. “It wasn’t until she was faced with the additional charge that she saw the true ramifications.”
