‘Real Housewives’ Teresa Giudice Sentenced to 15 Months in Prison, Husband Joe Gets 41 Months for Fraud

The Bravo reality stars were sentenced in federal court Thursday in New Jersey

Getty Images

“Real Housewives” star Teresa Giudice was sentenced Thursday to 15 months in prison in a bankruptcy and fraud case. Her husband Joe Giudice was sentenced to 41 months.

The pair will serve their sentences separately for the sake of their four daughters.

Previous story:

Also read: ‘Real Housewives of New Jersey’ Stars Teresa and Joe Giudice Accept Plea Deal, May Still Face Jail Time

The couple initially pleaded not guilty in August of 2013 to 39 counts, including mail fraud, wire fraud, bank fraud, bankruptcy fraud, making false statements on loan applications and failure to file tax returns. Those amounted to more than 50 years maximum time combined in prison and more than $1.5 million in combined fines.

In March, the Giudices pleaded guilty to one count of mail and wire fraud and three counts of bankruptcy fraud; Joe also pleaded guilty to a count of failing to file a tax return.

Before his sentencing, Joe told the court: “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.”

Also read: ‘Real Housewives’ Teresa and Joe Giudice Plead Not Guilty to Additional Fraud Charges (Update)

Teresa Giudice had asked to receive no jail time, instead requesting community service and possible home arrest. But sentencing guidelines called for a penalty of between 21 and 27 months in prison. She told the judge that her persona on her reality show is “little more than a carefully crafted fiction, engineered by Bravo TV through scripted lines and clever editing,” according to TMZ.

Giudice also cited her four children, saying that should both she and her husband be incarcerated, her four children would have to be separated as the family has no relative who could take them all in.

Also read: Former ‘Real Housewives’ Star Caroline Manzo Dishes on Andy Cohen Relationship

Part of the Giudice plea was to also forfeit all ill-gotten gains from the fraud.

Comments