Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Real Housewives Of Prison: Teresa Giudice, Husband Plead Guilty To Fraud
By
Jen Chung
Published Mar 4, 2014
Modified Mar 4, 2014
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Getty Images
By
Jen Chung
Published Mar 4, 2014
Modified Mar 4, 2014
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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."
Tagged
fraud
Joe Giudice
nj
prison
real housewives of new jersey
Teresa Giudice
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
New Yorkers are paying $300 million for natural gas they don't even use
A new study found that nearly 2% of the city's natural gas is leaking into the air and causing climate pollution.
By
Rosemary Misdary
Published Oct 14, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. ET
Early Addition: Eric Adams did not convince a Wisconsin town to build a data center
Because the vote against it was unanimous, here are your early links: Jacket weather, swishing your Guinness, spooky decorations in North Jersey and more.
By
James Ramsay
News
Early Addition: Eric Adams did not convince a Wisconsin town to build a data center
Because the vote against it was unanimous, here are your early links: Jacket weather, swishing your Guinness, spooky decorations in North Jersey and more.
By
James Ramsay
Hit-and-run driver arrested trying to flee to Uzbekistan after deadly crash, NYPD says
By
Brittany Kriegstein
NY measles outbreak more widespread than official count, health officials say
By
Caroline Lewis
A NYC judge brought his gun into court for an ‘experiment’. Now he’s censured.
By
Samantha Max
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .