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RELATED: Felicity Huffman, William H. Macy Make Courthouse Return After Her College Admissions Scandal Arrest
Loughlin’s Potential Sentence is Much Higher
Loughlin, meanwhile, allegedly wanted her daughters to get into the University of Southern California so badly that she and Giannulli paid approximately $500,000 in bribes to falsely designate their daughters as recruits to the USC crew team — despite the fact that they did not participate in crew.
The amount of money involved in the case means that her “offense level” would be much higher than Huffman’s. Additionally, Huffman’s decision to plead guilty lowered her offense level; in the absence of a plea deal, Loughlin’s penalty will be significantly higher.
RELATED: Why William H. Macy, Felicity Huffman’s Husband, Was Not Charged in College Cheating Scandal
Steven Senne/AP/REX/Shutterstock
Officially, she faces up to 40 years in prison for the charges against her — but if she is found guilty and her sentencing is consistent with the other defendants, she will likely face closer to 3-5 years.
But legal experts tell PEOPLE that the actress may be doing herself a disservice with her public demeanor.
“There is some discretion involved in sentencing,” attorney Citron tells PEOPLE. “And she’s doing herself no favors by treating these court appearances like she’s going to the Oscars. What the court is looking for is humility.”
Attorneys for Loughlin, Giannulli and Huffman have not returned PEOPLE’s calls for comment.
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College Cheating Scandal
23 featured stories since
Lori Loughlin Deletes Social Media Accounts in Wake of Alleged College Admissions Scam
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Lori Loughlin to Be Released on $1M Bond After Arrest in Alleged College Admissions Cheating Scam
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3/14/2019
Olivia Munn Slams Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin: ‘What These Parents Did Wasn’t for Love’
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3/17/2019
$500 Billion Lawsuit Against Lori Loughlin and Felicity Huffman Is ‘Ridiculous’: Legal Expert
3/18/2019
Lori Loughlin Allegedly Sent High-Five Emoji to Scam Ringleader After Olivia Jade Got Into USC
3/18/2019
Lori Loughlin’s Kids Are ‘Not Talking About Future Plans’ After Alleged College Bribery Scam
3/20/2019
Lori Loughlin Allegedly Discussed How to Explain Bribe to IRS: ‘So We Just Have to Say We Made a Donation’
3/20/2019
Sonja Morgan Shares the Advice She’s Giving to Her Daughter, 18, amid College Admissions Scandal
3/22/2019
3/24/2019
Lori Loughlin and Mossimo Giuannulli Are ‘Very Stressed Out’ About the College Scandal: Source
3/29/2019
Bob Saget Speaks Out Amid
3/30/2019
Lori Loughlin and Husband Mossimo Giannulli Spotted Out for First Time Since Alleged College Scam
3/29/2019
Lori Loughlin Stays Calm While Being Asked If She’s ‘Afraid of Going to Prison’
3/31/2019
Bob Saget Deletes Cryptic Tweet About ‘Lying’ as Lori Loughlin Goes to Court for College Scandal
4/3/2019
Lori Loughlin Shakes Hands of Prosecutors as She and Felicity Huffman Appear in Court
4/3/2019
Lori Loughlin, Felicity Huffman Could Go to Prison, Says Legal Expert
4/5/2019
Lori Loughlin All Smiles in L.A. During Hug-Filled Outing with Daughter Amid College Admissions Scandal
4/6/2019
Felicity Huffman’s Netflix Film Delayed After She Pleads Guilty in College Admissions Case
4/9/2019
Lori Loughlin Rejected Plea Deal Before New Charges, Says Source: ‘Not Seeing How Serious This Is’
4/9/2019
Felicity Huffman Could See Less Than a Year in Prison — But Lori Loughlin Could Face Longer
4/9/2019