Teresa and Joe Giudice of The Real Housewives of New Jersey have officially pleaded guilty to the fraud charges they were indicted for last summer after appearing before US District Judge Esther Salas today in court.
The Real Housewives of New Jersey: Teresa and Joe Giudice Agree on a Plea Deal >>>
They have yet to be sentenced as of yet, but according to E! News, Joe could potentially serve 37 to 46 months in jail and Teresa could get 21 to 27 months. They will be sentenced on July 8.
“Today, I took responsibility for a series of mistakes I made several years ago,” Teresa said through a prepared statement. “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 decisions, and express my remorse to Judge Salas and the public. I am heartbroken that this is affecting my family, especially my four young daughters, who mean more to me than anything in the world. Beyond this, I do not intend to speak specifically about the case outside of court, at the recommendation of my attorney and out of deference to the government and our legal system.”
In addition to possible jail time, Joe is still facing deportation. Judge Salas stated after accepting the pleas that he will face another hearing after he serves his time that “will likely result in your being removed from the United States.”
The couple was indicted on 41 counts of fraud back in August 2013. They originally planned to plead not guilty in separate trials, but separate trials were denied by the prosecutors.
Teresa and Joe have four young daughters who, as Joe told Andy Cohen on Watch What Happens Live, would not be going to live with his sister and brother-in-law (and co-stars) Melissa and Joe Gorga if anyone were to go to jail.
(Image and video courtesy of Bravo)
Contributing Writer, BuddyTV
