Mossimo Giannulli is begging a judge to spring him from prison — saying his eight weeks in solitary confinement was “extreme” punishment for his role in the college admissions scam, according to newly filed court documents.
The husband of “Full House” actress Lori Loughlin filed an emergency motion Thursday seeking permission to serve out the rest of his five-month sentence at home.
Giannulli, 57, says he’s been holed up in solitary confinement since arriving at the federal lockup in Lompoc, Calif., on Nov. 19 due to COVID restrictions.
“Mr. Giannulli was immediately placed in solitary confinement in a small cell at the adjacent medium security penitentiary, 24 hours per day with only three short 20 minute breaks per week, where he remained for 56 days before finally being transferred to the camp yesterday (January 13),” his lawyers wrote in the federal court filing.
They note that the fashion designer has tested negative for COVID-19 at least 10 times and called the conditions “far more extreme than what the court recommended.”
“After each negative test, without further explanation, Mr. Giannulli was returned to his cell, purportedly for another two-week period of solitary quarantine,” the filing said.
The lawyers said Giannulli has a release plan that includes serving out the rest of his time under home confinement.
“He has a stable home environment — to which he will directly and immediately travel upon release — with resources that will allow him to quarantine safely and remain at home for the remainder of his sentence,” they wrote.
Nearly 60 inmates at Lompoc have tested positive for coronavirus — which has killed five inmates, the Santa Maria Times reported Wednesday.
Giannulli and Loughlin were among the dozens of rich parents ensnared in the widespread college admissions scandal.
The California couple initially fought the charges, then admitted to paying $50,000 in bribes to get their two daughters, Olivia Jade and Isabella Rose, into the University of Southern California. The girls were passed off as crew recruits — even though they weren’t athletes.
Loughlin was sentenced to two months behind bars and was released in late December.
Giannulli received a stiffer sentence after the judge found he played a bigger role than his wife in the college scheme.
He was also ordered to pay a $250,000 fine and perform 250 hours of community service.