AceShowbiz - Prosecutors reportedly mocked Lori Loughlin and husband Mossimo Giannulli for alleging the government withheld evidence that didn't exist in their federal bribery case.

The couple is fighting fraud, money laundering, and bribery charges following its arrest last March (19), when Loughlin and fashion designer Giannulli were accused of donating $500,000 (£375,200) to a fake charity set up by the scheme's mastermind, Rick Singer.

The payment was allegedly made to ensure their two daughters would be accepted into the University of Southern California as part of the school's rowing team - even though neither of them participated in the sport.

Loughlin and Giannulli have pleaded not guilty to the accusations but, according to TMZ, their defence that the U.S. Attorney's office intentionally hid an interview that proves they were donating to the University of Southern California, rather than paying it off, when they made out a $50,000 (£38,810) cheque to the college's athletic department, didn't go down well with prosecutors.

In a sarcastic response, they said the claim that the government was hiding evidence of their "donation" is bogus, noting the alleged corroborator wasn't interviewed until after their arrest.

"The government has broad powers, but they do not include mental telepathy or time travel. The government cannot disclose witness statements before the witnesses make them," they wrote.

The former "Fuller House" star and Giannulli face a maximum of 45 years behind bars if convicted on all charges.