Lori Loughlin and Felicity Huffman May Be Barred From Filming in Canada After Felony Charges, Says Legal Expert
While a jail sentence is arguably the main concern among those involved in the college admissions scandal, there could be unexpected consequences for actors Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin, should they become convicted felons. Both Huffman and Loughlin have filmed numerous movie and television projects in Canada, but their current legal woes may prevent them from doing so in the future, according to a legal expert.
"One big issue for actors like Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin will be the ability to work in Canada, where a lot of filming occurs, and which has strict laws regarding the entrance of convicted felons into the country," entertainment attorney Bryan Sullivan told Newsweek.
The government of Canada's website lists numerous reasons a person may be denied entry to the country, including money laundering. On Tuesday afternoon, Loughlin and her husband, Mossimo Giannulli, were separately charged with money laundering conspiracy in a superseding indictment. (Huffman was not named in Tuesday's indictment.)
"This conviction could preclude them from working in Canada, but there are procedures to deal with that, although approvals are not always granted by the Canadian government," he added.
These procedures include convincing an immigration officer that you meet the legal terms to be deemed rehabilitated, applied for rehabilitation and were approved, were granted a record suspension or have a temporary resident permit, according to the government of Canada's website.
"They will likely be able to work in Canada, especially given that Felicity Huffman took a plea agreement and has acknowledged wrongdoing, which goes to the rehabilitation issue that appears to be important under Canadian law," he concluded.
As previously reported, the Department of Justice announced Monday the 12 people who were charged with one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud agreed to plead guilty. Those people are:
- Gregory Abbott
- Marcia Abbott
- Jane Buckingham
- Gordon Caplan
- Robert Flaxman
- Felicity Huffman
- Agustin Huneeus Jr.
- Marjorie Klapper
- Peter Jan Sartorio
- Stephen Semprevivo
- Devin Sloane
- Michael Center
- Davina Isackson
"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," Huffman told ABC News. "I am ashamed of the pain I have caused my daughter, my family, my friends, my colleagues and the educational community."
As of Tuesday, Loughlin and Giannulli had not entered a plea on the charges against them. TMZ predicted the additional charges could cause prosecutors to recommend a prison sentence ranging from four years and nine months to five years and 11 months.
Conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud are punishable by a maximum of 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of the greater of either $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss.
Update: This article was updated April 9, 2:57 p.m. ET to include an additional comment from Bryan Sullivan.
