Why Lori Loughlin Thinks She'll Be Found Not Guilty In College Scam

Lori Loughlin is confident she'll be found innocent in the college admissions cheating scandal.

An insider told PEOPLE that Loughlin has been "in a stressful situation" since she pled not guilty for her alleged involvement in the controversial bribery case two months ago — though she hasn't given up hope. “She isn’t working, and her whole life focus has changed drastically,” the source said of the actress. “It consists of waiting around for the next court date and planning her legal defense.”

In March, Loughlin and her husband J. Mossimo Giannulli were among 50 people charged in the scandal for allegedly falsifying SAT scores and dishonestly assigning their daughters as athletes recruited to the USC crew team. The couple was said to have paid $500,000 to admissions consultant Rick Singer's foundation, which prosecutors claim was a front for accepting bribes, to facilitate their daughters' — Olivia and Isabella — college admission.

It was recently reported this week that Olivia may have been aware of her parents' bribery scheme as well.

In April, the couple rejected a plea deal to charges of mail fraud and money laundering conspiracy because it included jail time. If convicted, both Loughlin and Giannulli could face up to 20 years in prison.

Despite the circumstances, a source said the Fuller House star and her husband are firm on their decision.

“[Lori] still believes she did the right thing by rejecting a guilty plea,” the insider told PEOPLE. “She is a fighter.”

The insider adds the pair are “trying to get through the legal hurdle as a team," which echoes the confident sentiment of a previous source who told the outlet earlier this month that “they are both mounting a vigorous defense against the charges.”

As of now, the insider maintains “Lori in particular has become extremely well-versed in the case. She’s an active participant in her own defense, feels like she’s got a valid defense, and that when all the evidence comes out, she won’t be found guilty.”

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