Actress Lori Loughlin and her husband Mossimo Giannulli reportedly claimed that they did not know where the $500,000 dollars they were giving to Rick Singer, the scams instigant, was going and that he would use it to get their daughters into USC under false pretenses.

The couple plead not guilty to charges of bribery and fraud, explaining that that they thought they were working with a “facilitator” who helped many young adults get into the colleges they wanted, TMZ reported.

The couples’ children, Olivia and Isabella, were admitted to USC as a result of the lie that they were crew team recruits, even though they never participated in the sport. The $500,000 dollars they paid was used to bribe the USC rowing coach, supposedly without Loughlin and Giannulli’s knowledge.

According to legal experts who spoke to Fox News, Loughlin and Giannulli’s supposed defense is extremely weak. “Claiming to have lacked the specific intent necessary to be convicted may be Ms. Loughlin’s only defense, albeit not a strong one given the pile of circumstantial evidence against her and her husband,” said criminal defense attorney David P. Shapiro who does not represent either Loughlin or Giannulli. “That pile may likely turn into a mountain of evidence once more and more of the defendants flip in exchange for reduced sentences.”

If convicted, the couple may face up to forty years in prison.”The U.S. Attorney’s Office can and will add additional charges if Loughlin and Giannulli do not plead soon, or charge their daughters. If they continue to deny the allegations and are convicted at jury trial, I expect them to be sentenced to years in federal prison.”, said attorney Neama Rahmani, who has also not been retained by either Loughlin or Giannulli.