Lori Loughlin has been reportedly spitting fire after the prosecutors released rowing photos of her daughters ahead of the trial on her involvement in the college cheating scandal. The photos were, reportedly, dropped by the prosecutors handling the high-profile case last week and the Full House actress wasn't expecting it until the trial resumes in fall.
Us Weekly obtained copies of the photos and it showed Lori's eldest daughter, Bella Rose Giannulli, 21, and 20-year-old Olivia Jade Giannulli on the rowing machine but their faces were blurred out. According to a source of the outlet, the prosecutors' action was deliberate to intimidate Loughlin.
"The pictures are obviously extremely inflammatory and controversial, meant to intimidate Lori because she has refused to take a plea deal," the insider said.
The source added that the publication of the siblings' photos hit Olivia Jade very hard. Apparently, the social media influencer was "hysterical" and felt "embarrassed" when she found out about the release of the photos. Olivia, reportedly, became more concerned that if she began posting on Instagram again, her posts would only be flooded with negative comments.
Apparently, the influencer has also been planning her social media comeback. However, it has been put on hold and also postponed some of her online collaborations with friends because of it.
It appeared that the family was expecting that the photos would be presented as evidence at the trial where Olivia Jade could give a coordinated and appropriate response. The source said Loughlin is determined now that she won't get intimidated by the federal government and is hoping that the jury will see it too in the trial.
Loughlin and her husband, Mossimo Giannulli, have been accused of paying $500,000 to secure their daughters' acceptance into the University of Southern California. The siblings were accepted into USC as part of the university's women's rowing team despite the fact that they didn't compete in the sport.
Loughlin and Giannulli were arrested in March 2019 in connection with the largest college bribery scandal ever in U.S. history. They were released after posting a $1 million bond.
Later on, the couple pleaded not guilty to bribery, money laundering and fraud charges. Loughlin and her fashion designer husband expected to stand trial on October 5.
Meanwhile, there were earlier rumors that Loughlin has been seeking a deal to lessen her jail time. However, Gossip Cop debunked the speculation, saying Giannulli and Loughlin seem to be determined to fight the charges against them.
