Eight of 15 Chinese citizens indicted in an alleged test-taking conspiracy involving college entrance exams pleaded not guilty before a federal magistrate in Pittsburgh.
The indictment unsealed last month says the suspects either took the Scholastic Aptitude Test or English fluency tests on behalf of others or paid to have that done for them so they could obtain student visas.
Defense attorney Lyle Dresbold represents 20-year-old Yue Zou. He says Zou and the others "just wanted to get an education" but made "mistakes" that could lead to convictions or deportation.
Zou's boyfriend is also indicted. Both are listed as students on Virginia Tech's website. Officials there did not immediately comment on the case.
Other attorneys declined comment or said their clients had "minimal" involvement.
