Lori Loughlin’s Trial Could Be Delayed For This Reason

She and her husband, Mossimo Giannulli, are set to go to trial in October 2020 for their alleged roles in the college admission scam. However, thanks to the worldwide outbreak of the Coronavirus, Lori Loughlin could actually get a little bit of a break instead.

Due to the worldwide pandemic of COVID-19, there have been calls for several sectors to shut down which will encourage people to practice “Social distancing,” therefore slowing the spread of the highly contagious respiratory illness. While that has not yet extended to the court system in the United States, if it did, it could prove to give the “Fuller House” star and her fashion designer husband a new edge in their case.

Speaking to Fox News, Harry Nelson, managing partner of Los Angeles-based healthcare law firm Nelson Hardiman, revealed that while the courts have not shut down yet, leaving many who could be involved in cases in a questionable state of limbo.

“We are moving into uncharted territory with COVID-19,” he said. “From high-profile cases like Lori Loughlin’s to the everyday criminal, civil, family court matters, this is a new world. Lawyers, court clerks, jurors see themselves as sitting ducks until we close down the courts.”

Nelson predicted that if things go to a place where the courts are shut down, it would be detrimental to prosecutors because of the backlog it could create when it comes to cases—but that could be beneficial to defendants like Loughlin and GIannulli.

“The Backlash from closing the courts is going to be terrible. People may take liberties because they can’t be held accountable by the other side racing into court. There is going to be a backlog for a long time to come,” Nelson said. “COVID-19 is wreaking havoc on our judicial system.”

Loughlin and Giannulli, as well as other co-defendants who pleaded not guilty in the scam, are currently scheduled in federal court in Boston on Oct. 5. It is unclear how far it could be pushed back if the courts do shut down and experience a backlog.

Regardless of when they see the judge, Loughlin and her husband could face lengthy prison sentences if convicted. They have been charged with money laundering conspiracy, conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and honest services fraud and conspiracy to commit federal programs bribery.