NEWARK, N.J. — A “Real Housewives of New Jersey” star and her husband face prison time after pleading guilty Tuesday to federal fraud charges for concealing income and lying during bankruptcy proceedings.
In contrast to their often raucous on-screen personas, Teresa and Giuseppe “Joe” Giudice stood solemnly in front of U.S. Magistrate Esther Salas, speaking in barely audible tones as they admitted engaging in financial fraud. Joe Giudice also pleaded guilty to failing to file a tax return for 2004, though he acknowledged he didn’t file taxes on income of approximately $1 million between 2004 and 2008.
Under federal sentencing guidelines, Joe Giudice faces 37 to 46 months, and Teresa Giudice could get 21 to 27 months.
The couple was charged last year with exaggerating their income while applying for loans before their show debuted in 2009, then hiding their fortunes in a bankruptcy filing in which they claimed they owed $11 million, including $2.2 million in mortgages, $13,000 to Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom and nearly $12,000 to a fertility clinic, according to court documents.
