Joe Giudice, husband of Teresa Giudice of The Real Housewives of New Jersey, has been sentenced to 41 months in prison after pleading guilty to fraud earlier this year. Teresa has still yet to be sentenced.
According to the Star-Ledger, Joe was also ordered to pay $441,000 back in loans and a $10,000 fine.
“I stand here humiliated before the court and my family and society,” Joe said in a prepared statement before his sentencing. “I disgraced many people, including my wife and four daughters. I take full responsibility for my actions. I promise to be a better person.”
The judge noted discrepancies with what the Giudices claimed to have in assets, and the actual worth of their possessions. For example, Teresa claimed that her jewelry wasn’t worth as much as it would appear, because most of her pieces were costume jewelry. They also claimed that much of the expensive furnishings in their home are provided by the Bravo when they film the show.
“I’m going to tell you that it leaves with this court a feeling of uneasiness,” U.S. District Court Judge Esther Salas said. “It feels as if things have been hidden or concealed. They had an obligation to be transparent and candid and open with the court and I don’t think I got that. I want to understand the disconnect.”
Salas went on to explain her sentence.
“It’s not a slap on your wrist you need, Mr. Giudice. Uh-uh. You need to understand the laws of this country and that they need to be respected,” she said. “I am not sure you respect the court. I am not sure you respect our laws. And I am not sure you understand yet what you did.”
Teresa is set to be sentenced later today.
[Update] RHONJ Star Teresa Giudice Sentenced to 15 Months in Prison>>>
(Image courtesy of Bravo)
Contributing Writer, BuddyTV
