Teresa and Joe Giudice's day of reckoning has come.
After pleading guily to fraud charges back in March, Teresa and Joe Giudice's day of reckoning has come.
The Real Housewives of New Jersey couple faced U.S. District Court Judge Esther Salas in a Newark, New Jersey, court on Thursday for sentencing. Joe has been sentenced to 41 months in jail and restitutions of just over $414,000. While Teresa still awaits her punishment later today, the judge will allow a staggered sentence so the children will not be parentless.
The couple were both stoic during the hearing, showing little emotion except when the discussion turned to the passing of Joe's father. At that point, as both Joe and Teresa bowed their heads and began to cry, the judge passed tissues to the troubled pair.
However, the judge was very no-nonsense and the day did not start out well for the Giudices as the judge reamed them for having "glaring omissions" in their financial disclosure forms.
"How is it that at this point the court is having to go over this?" Salas asked the Giudices' defense attorney (via North Jersey News), listing seven items (recreational vehicles, home furnishings, cars, construction equipment) that were not included on any court documents but were listed in federal prosecutor's documents.
She also commented on the lateness of the files that were to be sent in by March 4 but didn't come until Aug. 19. "I had to put the sentencing off because the financial disclosure wasn't in," Salas lamented.
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Teresa and Joe were charged in July 2013 with attempting to illegally obtain mortgages and other loans, in addition to hiding income and assets while they were filing for bankruptcy. The 39-count indictment included bank fraud, mail and wire fraud and bankruptcy fraud. Joe was also accused of failing to file his taxes from 2004-2008.
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This all added up to Teresa and Joe, both 42, being accused of earning over $5 million from their alleged fraudulent behavior.
Under federal sentencing guidelines, Joe faces 37 to 46 months in prison while Teresa could get 21 to 27 months. However, the judge can deviate from those ranges, up or down. Lawyers for the couple are hopeful that Teresa will get off with a probation sentencing so she can care for their four young daughters.
Joe also faces deportation after a prison term, as he is an Italian citizen.