federal court today, telling the judge they want to stand trial together, and the major new clue tonight, how they might defend themselves. abc's eva pilgrim in boston. >> reporter: lori loughlin and her husband presenting a united front, walking into a boston federal courthouse today with their heads down, unlike past appearances when the actress smiled for the cameras. they have pleaded not guilty to conspiracy charges, accused of paying half a million dollars in bribes to get their two daughters accepted to usc as recruits for the crew team. do you guys have any comment? today, their lawyer saying the couple didn't w checks to individuals, instead, giving money directly to the university, its athletic department, as well as a charity once run by rick singer, the alleged mastermind of the admissions scheme. a source close to the family telling "people magazine" that loughlin "honestly didn't think that what she was doing was any different than donating money for a library or athletic field."