Operation Varsity Blues has raised many questions, but perhaps the biggest and most common question of them all is whether or not the students were complicit in the scam.
Earlier this year, 33 parents were accused of using illegal tactics—such has bribery payments and standardized test cheating—to ensure their children got into top universities. Though it's widely reported that the majority of students were unaware of their parents' actions, there are some cases that suggest the young men and women weren't totally oblivious to the schemes. One such case is that of Olivia Jade, the 19-year-old daughter of actress Lori Loughlin and designer Mossimo Giannulli.
Loughlin and Giannulli were arrested back in March for allegedly paying $500,000 in bribes to help their daughters, Olivia Jade and Bella, get into the University of Southern California. Investigators say the parents paid for their children to be identified as USC crew team recruits, despite the fact they had never rowed competitively. It's also worth noting that Louhglin and Giannulli had provided a photo of Olivia Jade posing on a row machine, which led some to believe the YouTube star/influencer knew there was some deceitful measures taking place.
That speculation was fueled by a recent Us Weekly story.
"Olivia fully knew what her parents did to get her into USC, but didn’t think there was anything wrong with it," an anonymous insider told the outlet. "She didn’t get into any other California schools."
Loughlin and Giannulli pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest-services mail fraud, as well as conspiracy to commit money laundering. They face up to 40 years in prison, while Oliva Jade and Bella's future remains unclear.
"Olivia was angry with her parents at first, but now realizes that they were just trying to do what’s best for her," a source told Us Weekly last month. "Olivia loves her mom and dad very much, but is especially close with Lori."
