Joe Giudice of ‘RHONJ’ gets 41 months in prison, Teresa Giudice gets 15

Teresa Giudice of “The Real Housewives of New Jersey” and her husband, Joe Giudice, were sentenced Thursday to federal prison for conspiracy and bankruptcy fraud -- and she’s going to the slammer first.

Joe Giudice was hit first with 41 months behind bars, and the judge in a Newark, N.J., federal court also ordered him to pay $414,000 in restitution, according to the Associated Press.

Teresa Giudice was sentenced later in the day to 15 months, with U.S. District Court Judge Esther Salas having already made it clear that if both got prison time, the sentences would be staggered so the parents could continue to care for their four children, the AP said. Joe Giudice will go to prison after his wife’s sentence is served.

Salas also slammed the couple for failing to disclose all their assets in a pre-sentencing disclosure -- specifically, for leaving out some of their recreational vehicles.

Both Giudices were brought to tears by the judge’s stern criticism, TMZ reported. Teresa Giudice cried as she apologized to Salas, the AP said.

The two pleaded guilty in March to charges of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and three types of bankruptcy fraud. At the time, Joe Giudice also admitted failing to file a tax return on more than $1 million in income from 2004 through 2008, and pleaded guilty to the 2004 offense. Through their illegal efforts, the couple had obtained around $5 million in mortgages and construction loans.

Joe faced as long as 46 months in prison, while Teresa was looking at as long as 27 months.

The couple’s sentencing had been delayed twice, according to the Star-Ledger.

Joe Giudice, who is an Italian citizen, could be deported after serving his time. His lawyer has said his client was brought to the U.S. as a child and didn’t know he wasn’t a citizen, the AP reported.

Follow Christie D’Zurilla on Twitter @theCDZ and Google+. Follow the Ministry of Gossip on Twitter @LATcelebs.