Keith Girard
Giuseppe “Joe” Giudice, husband of New Jersey Real Housewife Teresa Giudice, in one of his many court appearance on fraud charges. (Photo: Getty)
Both Joe and Teresa were in federal court in Newark, NJ, today (Oct. 2) to face the music for guilty pleas to an elaborate web of frauds involving $5 million.
NJ Housewife Teresa Giudice, Husband Busted for Fraud
They pleaded guilty in March for engaging in a Sopranos-style scheme involving phony loan applications and bankruptcy fraud involving mortgages and construction loans.
Specifically, the pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and three counts of bankruptcy fraud.
Joe Giudice faces a potential sentence of 37 to 46 months in jail, under federal sentencing guidelines. Because he is not a U.S. citizen he could be deported back to Italy.
Teresa Giudice, 42, could get 21 to 27 months in prison.
The judge imposed the maximum sentence, a sign that the Giudice case is meant to send a signal. Celebrities will not be treated lightly because of their notoriety.
Jersey Housewife Teresa Giudice Sobs Wildly Over 15-Month Jail Term
The Giudices caused an uproar with their plea deal because it was widely viewed as a slap on the wrist.
In July a year ago, the “Real Housewives of New Jersey” star and her husband were facing a 39-count federal indictment that could have sent them to prison for more than 50 years each.
Be sure to follow IM on Twitter to keep up to date on the latest developments in the case.