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Lori Loughlin and her husband Mossimo Giannulli have pleaded not guilty to two conspiracy charges in the college bribery scandal that has rocked America.
CNN reports the pair pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering despite prosecutors claiming they paid US $500,000 to get their two daughters into the University of Southern California, including into the college’s rowing team, despite the girls having no experience.
Pleading not guilty is considered a big risk. If the judge finds them guilty, they’ll likely spend longer in jail than if they had pleaded guilty, as ‘not guilty’ indicates they lack contrition for their actions.
If found guilty, Loughlin and Giannulli each face a maximum of 40 years in prison.
It’s a vastly different response compared to Felicity Huffman, who pleaded guilty to paying US $15 000 (AUD $21 000) for her daughter’s college admission exam score to be increased by 400 points.
Huffman also released a statement expressing her regret at her actions.
“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,” she said.