‘Real Housewives’ stars plead guilty to fraud charges in N.J.

Two stars of the reality television show “Real Housewives of New Jersey” face the reality of prison after pleading guilty on Tuesday to federal charges of committing a long-running financial fraud.

Teresa and Giuseppe “Joe” Giudice entered their guilty pleas before U.S. District Judge Esther Salas in Newark, according to the U.S. attorney’s office. Joe Giudice faces 37 to 46 months in prison while Teresa faces 21 to 27 months, though the defense is asking for probation for the actress.

“Teresa and Giuseppe Giudice used deception and fraud to cheat banks, bankruptcy court and the IRS,” U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman stated. “With their guilty pleas, they admitted the schemes with which they were charged. Having now confessed their wrongdoing, the Giudices face the real cost of their criminal conduct.”

Both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and three types of bankruptcy fraud. Joe Giudice also pleaded guilty to failing to file a tax return for 2004, and he acknowledged he didn’t file taxes on income of approximately $1 million between 2004 and 2008.

Sentencing was set for July 8. The pair had faced more than 40 counts before they entered their guilty pleas.

“Today I took responsibility for a series of mistakes I made several years ago,” Teresa Giudice in a statement, read by her lawyer and given to media outlets.

“I will describe the choices I made, continue to take responsibility for my decisions and express my remorse to Judge Salas and the public,” she wrote. “I am heartbroken that this is affecting my family — especially my four young daughters, who mean more to me than anything in the world.”

Joe Giudice is an Italian citizen and could be deported upon completion of his prison term, his attorney, Miles Feinstein, told reporters. Giudice came to the United States as an infant and wasn’t aware that he wasn’t an American citizen, Feinstein said.

“It would be a grave injustice, and inhumane, for him to be deported,” Feinstein said.

The couple was charged last year with exaggerating their income while applying for loans before their show debuted in 2009, then hiding their fortunes in a bankruptcy filing after their first season aired. The couple filed for bankruptcy in 2009 and claimed they owed $11 million, including $2.2 million in mortgages, $13,000 to Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom and nearly $12,000 to a fertility clinic, according to court documents.

“From September 2001 through September 2008, Giuseppe and Teresa Giudice engaged in a mail and wire fraud conspiracy in which they submitted fraudulent applications and supporting documents to lenders in order to obtain mortgages and other loans,” the government charged. “The Giudices falsely represented on loan applications and supporting documents that they were employed and/or receiving substantial salaries when they were either not employed or not receiving such salaries.”

By pleading guilty, the couple admitted submitting false tax returns and W-2 forms.

On the Bravo show, Teresa Giudice is known for her expensive tastes and for fighting with her brother and sister-in-law. She has continued to work while she has been under indictment.

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