“Real Housewives of New Jersey” stars Joe and Teresa Giudice just got one heck of a reality check. As you may recall, Giuseppe “Joe” and Teresa were indicted for financial fraud by a federal grand jury on Monday, July 30. The reality stars first appeared in court in August 2013, where they were accused of committing 39 counts of financial fraud including defrauding the IRS and several banks between 2001 and 2008 and were facing a reported 50-year prison sentence.
Joe Giudice was also separately charged with falsely obtaining a license in another state and failing to file taxes from 2004 to 2008 on nearly $1 million of income. Giudice could be deported, as he never became a U.S. citizen after he arrived in the states at the age of 1, with his parents.
Among their crimes, the duo were accused of submitting fraudulent mortgage and other loan applications, including making false statements, conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, bank fraud, and bankruptcy fraud.
It was on Oct. 1 at 10 a.m. EST, that the reality couple faced the music when they appeared before U.S. District Court Judge Esther Salas.
After reviewing the “glaring omissions” from the Giudice’s financial disclosure forms, including cars, construction equipment, home furnishings, insurance policies and other items, Judge Esther Salas sided with the federal prosecutor who argued that the nondisclosure and discrepancies made by the couple were a clear part of a “pattern of deception, dishonesty and concealment.” A concealment which was intentional.
More than three hours later, Joe Giudice was sentenced. The former pizza parlor owner is set to serve 41 months in jail as well as ordered to pay $414,588.90 in restitution fees to Wells Fargo and another $10,000 to the government.
Just before his sentencing, Giuseppe “Joe” stood before the court and made a brief statement saying “I stand here humiliated before the court and my family and society. I disgraced many people, including my wife and four daughters. I take full responsibility for my actions. I promise to be a better person,” he said.
Teresa received a sentence of 15 months.
Together, Joe, 43, and Teresa, 42, are parents to Gia, 13, Gabriella, 9, Milania, 8, and Audriana, 5. It is because of their children that it is believed that Mrs. Giudice received a lesser sentence.
