Abby Lee Miller Advises Lori Loughlin and Felicity Huffman to ‘Take a Deep Breath’ Amid College Scandal
Speaking from experience. Abby Lee Miller knows what it’s like to be in jail, and now, the Dance Moms star has some words of wisdom for Lori Loughlin and Felicity Huffman amid their alleged involvement in the college admissions scandal.
“My advice would be, ‘Take a deep breath and if you need a consultant, I’m your girl,’” the 52-year-old told Inside Edition on Tuesday, April 9. The TV personality served eight months in federal prison from May 2017 to March 2018 since she was indicted on charges of bankruptcy fraud.
On Monday, April 8, Huffman, 56, pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud in connection to her alleged participation the college scam. Huffman admitted to paying $15,000 to boost her 18-year-old daughter Sophia’s SAT score, and the Desperate Housewives alum took the blame for her actions. “I am pleading guilty to the charge brought against me by the United States Attorney’s Office. I am in full acceptance of my guilt, and with deep regret and shame over what I have done, I accept full responsibility for my actions and will accept the consequences that stem from those actions,” read the statement obtained by In Touch.
Apparently, Miller is nervous about Huffman’s potential time in the slammer and noted that the actress should be careful of the people she surrounds herself with. “She’s a big star and I think, when she gets there, they’re going to be out for her, and I don’t mean the other inmates. I think they will welcome her with open arms,” she said. “It was definitely the guards [who messed with me]. They’re supposed to call you by your name or by your number and they would say, ‘Where’s that Dance Moms lady? Where’s that dance lady? We’re going to get her.’”
So, what guidance can the Lifetime starlet provide for Huffman? “Be respectful of everyone, keep a low profile, be kind to people. Tell your story, but listen,” she revealed. Huffman could face up to four to 10 months in prison.
Meanwhile, Loughlin and her husband, Mossimo Giannulli, were hit with new money laundering charges on Tuesday, April 9. The Full House star, 54, and her husband, 55, were two of the 16 parents who were indicted by the Federal Grand Jury in Boston after refusing to take the plea deal. The duo was arrested in March after they allegedly paid $500,000 to get their two daughters, Isabella, 20, and Olivia, 19, into the University of Southern California as crew team recruits, even though neither participated in the sport.
For now, Loughlin has stayed mum about the situation. “Maybe Lori thinks that it’s ridiculous that this is happening and she’s just not facing reality,” the dance teacher said. “[Law enforcement] don’t like you to fight it. They like you to say, ‘I was wrong, punish me. I’ll do my time, and let’s move on.’”
If Loughlin and Giannulli are convicted, the maximum sentence would be 20 years in federal prison, 3 years probation and a $250,000 fine.
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