( CNN ) -- Three California Marines have been charged with marrying for financial gain , accused of manipulating the military 's off-base housing program so a lesbian couple could live together , according to a woman at the center of the case . Marine Cpl . Ashley Vice says she and two others have been charged with conspiracy , making false official statements , fraud and adultery for allegedly marrying to collect thousands in financial assistance offered by the military to heterosexual married couples . `` The bottom line is that every Marine knows if they violate the law , they will be held accountable for their actions , '' 1st Lt. Maureen Dooley , a Marine spokeswoman at Camp Pendleton , told CNN . `` Regardless of sexual preference , we will hold all Marines accountable to the same standards . '' Dooley would not release details about the case , saying the `` investigation is ongoing . '' Vice told CNN affiliate KGTV in San Diego that she wanted to live off base with her girlfriend , Jaime Murphy , as a couple . Murphy is a civilian . But on her salary , she could n't afford it . So she says she found a Marine , Jeremiah Griffin , who agreed to marry her so she could receive the $ 1,200 per month living stipend the Marine Corps gives to married couples living off base . A year and a half later , Murphy did the same thing and married Marine Joseph Garner , Vice and Murphy told KGTV , according to footage that aired Thursday . Vice said she was questioned by the Marine Corps about the living arrangements . `` I honestly did n't even try to hide it , '' she said . `` I just said this is what 's going on . They asked me who Jaime is ... I told them . '' The three Marines are accused of pocketing about $ 75,000 . `` There 's no conspiracy here , '' Murphy told KGTV . `` There 's no trying to steal from anybody . We just wanted to be together and she wanted to serve her country . '' Vice and the two others face up to a year in prison if convicted on all counts . They also face the possibility of a dishonorable discharge , a reduction in rank and forfeiture of all pay .
Marine Cpl . Jennifer Vice : ` ` I honestly did n't even try to hide it '' Vice says she is a lesbian who married a straight Marine for the military . She says she did it so she could get financial assistance provided by the military . The financial assistance is only offered to heterosexual ##s .