College Admissions Scandal

Mossimo Giannulli Requests Early Prison Release After 56 Days in Solitary Confinement

Mossimo Giannulli's lawyer has filed an emergency motion requesting the fashion designer complete the rest of his prison sentence from home

In this Aug. 27, 2019, file photo, actress Lori Loughlin and her husband Mossimo Giannulli leave Moakley Federal Courthouse after a brief hearing in Boston, Massachusetts.
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Mossimo Giannulli was sentenced to five months in prison, but after 56 days in solitary confinement, he's requesting an early release.

According to court documents obtained by E! News, Lori Loughlin's husband filed an emergency motion to modify his sentence. Specifically, his lawyer has asked a judge to consider allowing Giannulli fulfill the rest of his sentence at home, citing concerns surrounding the circumstances of his detainment.

Per his plea agreement reached in, upon entering prison Giannulli was supposed to quarantine with other minimum security prisoners, after which he'd be relocated to a minimum security camp. However, his lawyer claims that Giannulli was placed into solitary confinement located near medium security prisoners for 24 hours a day, even after testing negative for COVID-19 multiple times.

Lori Loughlin, former star of television show "Full House," is out of federal prison after serving a two-month sentence for her part in the college admissions cheating scandal.

During his time in solitary, Giannulli's lawyer claims he was allowed to leave his cell three times a week to shower, but otherwise remained inside for meals. The lawyer additionally claims he was only sporadically allowed to call his family.

Lori Loughlin's Life in Pictures Since the College Admissions Scandal

Following 56 consecutive days spent in solitary confinement, Giannulli's lawyer claims he was moved to a minimum security camp on Wednesday. The lawyer describes the conditions of his detainment "fundamentally unfair," writing in the filing, "The toll on Giannulli's mental, physical and emotional well being has been significant."

"Every day that Mr. Giannulli spent in isolation caused harm to his physical, mental and emotional health," the document said. "Mr. Giannulli respectfully submits that the severe circumstances of his extended confinement in solitary quarantine in a cell at USP Lompoc for eight weeks constitutes sufficiently extraordinary and compelling reasons to modify his sentence and order his transfer to home confinement."

Giannulli's attorney argues that because he is 57 years old, a non-violent first time offender and is housed at a low security prison, his case qualifies for home confinement and would allow the Bureau of Prisons to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

The “Full House” star’s husband was sentenced to five months for their involvement in a nationwide college admissions cheating scheme.

Giannulli's lawyer adds that he tested positive for COVID-19 in October 2020, prior to confinement.

This is the second time Giannulli's attorneys have requested home confinement. On Jan. 7, a warden declined his request.

Loughlin was released from prison five days prior to completing her two-month sentence. At the time, a source told E! News, "She is relieved and incredibly happy it's over with, but she is still very worried about Mossimo Giannulli and upset for him."

She and Giannulli pled guilty to conspiracy charges in securing the fraudulent admission of their two children, Olivia Jade Giannulli, 21, and Bella Giannulli, 20, to the esteemed University of Southern California.

While Giannulli serves out the remainder of his sentence, Lori has started two years of supervised release and is working towards completing 100 hours of community service, as required. Additionally, Giannulli and Loughlin have each paid $150,000 fines.

Their daughter, Olivia, who was never charged with wrongdoing in the scandal, has publicly stated that she's working towards being a better person. On Jada Pinkett Smith's "Red Table Talk," Olivia said, "But I think what's so important to me is like to learn from the mistake. Not to now be shamed and punished and never given a second chance. I'm 21, I feel like I deserve a second chance to redeem myself, to show I've grown."

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