The Real Housewives of New Jersey star Joe Giudice, the husband of Teresa Giudice, has been slapped with large fines and sentenced to 41 months in jail for tax fraud and conspiracy.
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The couple appeared in federal court before U.S. District Court Judge Esther Salas in Newark, NJ on Thursday morning for their sentencing, and in addition to time in prison, Joe was ordered to pay $414,588.90 in restitution fees to Wells Fargo, plus another $10,000 to the government, E! News reported.
Teresa's sentencing has yet to be disclosed but she's reportedly looking at 21 to 27 months in jail. If Teresa must spend time behind bars, Salas reportedly said the pair will serve their sentences separately for the sake of their four daughters and Teresa will get hers over with first.
Joe, who was born in Italy, could be deported after completing his prison term. He reportedly came to the United States as an infant and had no knowledge he is not an American citizen.
Joe, 43, and Teresa, 42, walked into the courtroom putting on a very united front, holding hands as paparazzi swarmed them, according to E! News.
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"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," Joe reportedly said prior to sentencing.
Salas allegedly told Joe his actions in this case do not define him as a man.
Joe and Teresa 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 $1 million worth of his income.
The couple also admitted to claiming false salaries between the years of 2001 and 2008 and submitting phony loan applications to get some $5 million in mortgages and construction loans.
The federal prosecutor argued that nondisclosure and discrepancies by the couple are part of a "pattern of deception, dishonesty and concealment," according to E! News, and that the Giudices' "concealment is intentional."
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A trustee reportedly filed bankruptcy discharge papers on the couple's behalf on August 27, requesting to erase their $13,480,263.11 debt. However, a judge denied the request about one month later, allegedly leaving the reality TV stars to find different ways of paying their creditors back.
Teresa and Joe are parents to Gia, 13, Gabriella, 9, Milania, 9, and Audriana, 5. The Real Housewives of New Jersey returned for a sixth season to Bravo this past July.
About The Author: Steven Rogers