by JADA MINAYA Section Editor
Teresa Giudice and husband Joe Giudice, stars of Bravo TV’s hit reality show “The Real Housewives of New Jersey”, have finally been sentenced to prison after their long trial for fraud.
The couple was sentenced to prison on October 2 in Newark Federal Court. Teresa was sentenced for 15 months and set to go in on January 5 so she is able to spend the holidays with her family. Once she is released, Joe will serve for 41 months so their four young daughters Gia, 13; Gabriella, 9; Milania, 8; and Audriana, 5, will have a parent there for them. Joe will most likely be deported after jail time.
“I think the situation is messed up and I feel bad for the kids since they aren’t going to have both parents with them like they’re used to,” said junior Gabrielle Munoz.
Sources have said the couple “got off easy”. The couple were both involved in mail, wire and bankruptcy fraud. The Guidice’s were originally indicted in 2013 when accused of hiding their gold mine in a bankruptcy file.They both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, as well as three counts of bankruptcy back in March as part of a plea deal to resolve their 41-count federal fraud indictment. Joe also pleaded guilty to failure to file tax returns on nearly one million dollars worth of his income.
The couple did an interview on Bravo TV’s late night talk show, “Watch What Happens LIVE!” with host Andy Cohen, opening up about what they have been going through for the last year and their reaction to the outcome.
“My nerves were pulling. At one point, I couldn’t even move my fingers. They were, like, stuck. I couldn’t open my hands. My nerves were shot. I’ve had sleepless nights. I, of course, I was shocked. It was very unexpected. I don’t know, I don’t even know what to say. I really don’t even know what to say.” said Teresa on the show, speaking on how she felt in court when being sentenced.
As well as jail time, Teresa will be receiving two years of probation.
“I did everything I could to get her out of it, but it didn’t work,” Joe said after being asked if he felt guilty about his wife receiving jail time.
During the interview, Joe also spoke on his developing alcoholism. His sentence will also include time in a rehabilitation facility.
“Before we started the Real Housewives stuff, I think I used to drink only on the weekends. Now I drink every day, just wine, I don’t drink anything else really. I can easily do four bottles of wine with another person or sometimes two by myself. I might have a little problem, yeah,” said Joe.
The couple, as stated earlier, are parents to four young daughters who are victims to this outcome. Teresa is most worried that she is not going to be able to be there for them for the time being. She stated, “They need their mom, you know” while failing at holding back tears.
During the time of the interview, the only daughter aware of the situation was oldest, Gia. Teresa shared that Gia said “It’s going to be okay,” and told her mother she was going to step up and help to care of the girls.
“The whole situation is stupid and foolish, and I feel bad for all her daughters that they have two parents going to prison,” said junior Serena Zappone.
What are your thoughts on the Giudice couple going to prison?