Known as the fiery and very fiesta drama queen, of Bravo’s “The Real Housewives of New Jersey,” Teresa Giudice and her husband Joe are facing very real drama now. “Everyone has an obligation to tell the truth when dealing with the courts, paying their taxes and applying for loans or mortgages,” U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman said. “That’s reality.” And with that said, Teresa Giudice, 41, and her husband Giuseppe “Joe” Giudice, 43, stars of the Real Housewives of New Jersey were indicted Monday on federal fraud charges.
They have been accused of exaggerating their income while applying for loans before their TV show debuted in 2009, then hiding their improving fortunes in a bankruptcy filing after their first season aired. The couple, of Montville Township, were charged in a 39-count indictment with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, bank fraud, making false statements on loan applications and bankruptcy fraud. They say they hope to resolve federal fraud charges as quickly as possible an intend to press on with their lives.
A 39-count indictment, handed up Monday in federal court in Newark, N.J., accuses the couple of bank and bankruptcy fraud. Joe Giudice is also accused of failing to file five years of tax returns, before the show began airing, when he allegedly earned nearly $1 million. Teresa’s attorney says she will plead not guilty and that “we look forward to vindicating her.” Giudice also issued her own statement saying “today is a most difficult day for our family.” She says she supports her husband and is committed to continuing her career. The show is in its fifth season on Bravo.
