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| radaronline.com |
It's a sad day for the Giudice family.
I really didn't think they were going to jail!
Real Housewives of New Jersey stars, Teresa and Joe Giudice, were both sentenced in their fraud case.
Giuseppe "Joe" Giudice was sentenced to 41 months in prison, while Teresa was sentenced to 15 months.
The judge staggard the sentences so there was one parent to stay home with the couple's three girls: Gia, Gabriella, Milani and Audriana.
"I fully take responsibility for my actions," Teresa read from a letter in court,
per the New Jersey Record. " I deeply love my family... My four daughters are my life."
Originally Teresa was facing a term of 21 to 27 months.
Prior to Teresa's sentencing, husband Joe was sentenced to 41 months in prison.
In addition to the prison terms, each also were sentenced to two years
of supervised release, and ordered the couple to forfeit $414,588.
Additionally, the judge fined Joe $10,000 and Teresa $8,000
Teresa,
who once famously said that living in a house somebody else lived in was "gross" along with her husband pleaded guility to bankruptcy fraud and conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud back in March. Joe also pleaded guilty to tax evasion.
Teresa has been ordered to surrender Jan. 5, 2015, and Joe's term will not begin until she is released.
Joe, also faces the possibility of deportation. He immigrated to the United States from Italy when he was a baby and
didn't know he wasn't a citizen.
"I stand here humiliated before the court and my family and
society," he said in court before Judge Salas lowered the sentencing boom. "I
disgraced many people, including my wife and four daughters. I take full
responsibility for my actions. I promise to be a better person."
Back in 2010 Joe had a run in with the law when he got a DUI. His lawyer Miles Feinstein told the court that Joe appears to have a drinking problem, the Salas said she will "recommend a facility" for him to go to within the Bureau of Prisons.
The federal case started when the couple filed for bankruptcy back in 2009. Back then the couple was accused of failing to list their income and assets. They also failed to list the $110,000 they were promised when they signed on to the
Real Housewives franchise.
Joe was also charged with five
counts of failing to file income tax returns on roughly $1 million in
earnings from 2004 until 2008.
"The indictment returned
today alleges the Guidices lied to the bankruptcy court, to the IRS and
to a number of banks," U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman said in a statement
when the couple were charged. "Everyone has an obligation to tell the
truth when dealing with the courts, paying their taxes and applying for
loans or mortgages. That's reality."
Today after
court, Fishman told reporters at a press conference, "The fact that
she's a celebrity played no role in her punishment."
The couple will sit down with Andy Cohen on
Watch What Happens Live this Monday at 9 p.m. for their first interview post-sentencing.
No matter how you look at this story, it's just unfortunate for the couple's 4 young daughters.
