Lori Loughlin was “outraged and extremely angry” over her daughters’ rowing photos being released by prosecutors amid the ongoing college admissions scandal.
“The pictures are obviously extremely inflammatory and controversial, meant to intimidate Lori because she has refused to take a plea deal,” a source told Us Weekly. “The photos were never submitted to USC as part of the application process. Lori’s lawyers will be responding to the photos of the girls on the rowing machine in a legal filing.”
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Loughlin’s youngest daughter, 20-year-old Olivia Jade Giannulli, was “hysterical” when she discovered the photos–which showed her wearing athlete attire on a rowing machine–were released. “She has slowly begun to try and rebuild her brand,” the insider told the outlet. “The expectation was the photos would be presented as evidence at the trial. And in that context, Olivia Jade would have a coordinated, appropriate response.”
The Fuller House alum “won’t be bullied or intimidated by the federal government and she believes the jury will recognize it as well,” the source added.
In March 2019, the actress and her husband, fashion designer Mossimo Giannulli, are both accused of paying $500,000 in bribes to get their two daughters, 20-year-old Olivia Jade and 21-year-old Isabella, admitted to USC as recruits for the crew team (even though they have never participated in the sport) as part of an alleged college admissions scam. Loughlin and Giannulli have pleaded not guilty to the charges in the college admissions scandal.
Isabella and Olivia’s rowing images were released by federal prosecutors on April 8. In the photos, the two girls can be seen using rowing machines while in a gym, but both of their faces have been blurred.
A source told US Weekly that the photos’ release was a “tough setback” for Olivia, referring that it “brought up all of her old feelings she had right after the scandal broke.”
Brittany R
Brittany is a writer who is obsessed with rom-com movies, Gossip Girl, reality television, fashion, and pop-culture. When she isn't reporting on the latest celeb buzz, she is filling up her online shopping cart without checking out.