One of the "stars" of the Real Housewives of New Jersey is going to prison. Teresa Giudice and her husband Joe Giudice have pleaded guilty to bankruptcy fraud, conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud, failing to pay taxes and more.
Last week, the Bergen Record reported on the plea deal that the couple made:
Indicted last year, the Giudices were scheduled to stand trial on April 14 on 41 counts alleging that between 2001 and 2011 they engaged in conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud. They both were charged with bank fraud, loan application fraud and bankruptcy fraud. Joe Giudice also is charged with failing to file tax returns for 2005-2009, and will plead guilty to a tax count, the source said.
Prosecutors allege the couple used fake pay stubs, tax returns and W-2 forms to inflate their incomes and obtain nearly $5 million in mortgages and other loans. They also allegedly concealed income derived from their Bravo cable television show and other business ventures after filing for bankruptcy in 2009.
Prosecutors required that the couple accept a “a packaged deal,” meaning that one defendant “could not plead without the other,” the source said.
Sentencing is set for July, and Teresa Giudice faces between 21 to 27 months while her husband faces 37 to 46 months behind bars. Prison guards do not look kindly on table-flipping:
The couple, who live in Montville, has four children. Teresa Giudice was retweeting messages of support from her fans, "@Teresa_Giudice keep your head up you're and amazing woman and mother. Keeping you and your family in my prayers and hoping for all the best" and "@Teresa_Giudice prayers sent your way. You stay strong you are a amazing women and mother you are. God is good ! Xo," a few hours ago. The most recent thing she Tweeted herself was, "Congrats @NeNeLeakes on DWTS! Can't wait to watch you. Xx"
Update: Teresa Giudice said, "I am heartbroken that this is affecting my family. Especially my four young daughters, who mean more to me than anything in the world.. I have said throughout that I respect the legal process and thus, I intend to address the court directly at sentencing. I will describe the choices I made, continue to take responsibility for my decision and express my remorse to Judge Salas and the public."
