Loughlin’s not guilty plea comes a week after 13 other parents, including actress Felicity Huffman, indicated that they would plead guilty in what prosecutors have described as the largest-ever college admissions prosecution. The decisions by Loughlin and Huffman, the most widely known parents involved in the case, were only the latest way in which their legal paths have diverged.
Loughlin waived her right to appear in court for an arraignment, after being indicted last week on a count of conspiracy to commit fraud and another of money laundering conspiracy. Her husband, fashion designer Mossimo Giannulli, is also pleading not guilty to the same charges, documents showed.
Loughlin and Giannulli are accused of paying $500,000 in bribes to ensure that their daughters would be admitted to the University of Southern California. The young women were presented as recruits for the women’s crew team, though they did not participate in the sport, according to prosecutors.
Loughlin, who has appeared largely upbeat during court appearances, has not publicly spoken about the charges.
Four other parents — Gamal Abdelaziz, I-Hsin “Joey” Chen, Douglas Hodge and John Wilson — also submitted not guilty pleas and waived their rights to court appearances for arraignment.
This article originally appeared in The New York Times.