Lori Loughlin 'about to break' as family 'in chaos' amid additional federal charges

Felicity Huffman may have done her time in jail for her role in the college admissions scandal, but Lori Loughlin is still awaiting her fate for her alleged involvement.

The Full House star will return to court on January 17 with her fashion designer husband, Mossimo Giannulli, as they face money laundering and fraud charges for paying officials US$500,000 (approx. $724,000) to get their daughters enrolled at the prestigious University of Southern California.

But last week investigators slapped the couple with a new charge of conspiracy to commit federal programs bribery, which means the couple could be given a tougher sentence than Huffman, who only served 14 days in jail. And, according to People, this has left the couple in a panic. 

"The entire family is in chaos right now," a source told the publication. "They knew [a new charge] was a possibility, but they thought perhaps it was just a bargaining tool from the prosecution. Now that the charges are official, they are realising that there is no way to avoid a moderately long prison sentence, unless they are found not guilty in a trial."

Loughlin and Giannulli — who have both pleaded not guilty — previously faced up to 40 years in prison, but the new charge could attract another 10 years. 

"They feel like this is David versus Goliath," added the source. "How do you go up against the federal government when the government has decided to make an example out of you? This stress is about to break them."

Before the couple pleaded not guilty in April, they also knocked back a plea deal from the prosecution as they maintain they did not think they were doing anything illegal. 

"Does she regret not taking the deal? Of course she does, because it would have been easier," added the source. "But taking the deal would have admitted guilt, and she believes she was duped by unscrupulous people who enriched themselves off of her. It is her position that she was not some sort of criminal mastermind."

"She just wanted what was best for her daughters. And it has turned into an ongoing nightmare."