The Real Housewives star and her husband are in federal court facing 39 charges. If convicted, the couple could face up to 30 years in prison! INSIDE EDITION has the scoop.
A Real Housewife and her husband are facing a 39 count indictment including charges of bank fraud, bankruptcy fraud and, in the husband's case, tax evasion. And just like on the show, there was lots of drama at the courthouse.
Famously hot-tempered Teresa and Joe Giudice were about to face a federal judge amid utter chaos.
Joe's mother swatted mics away as her son and daughter-in-law made their way through a pack of reporters.
INSIDE EDITION's Les Trent caught up with Miles Feinstein, the defense attorney in the case. Trent asked, "This is a 39 count indictment. They're pretty serious charges. Are you confident you can keep them out of jail?"
"Nobody can predict. We don't know who the jurors will be. We don't know the affect of the show. So we are going to do our best because they maintain their innocence," said Feinstein.
Teresa is best known for a notorious scene from the Bravo reality show in which she flips a table and yells at her cast mates.
Her husband showed his temper in Newark this morning when he slapped a camera out of his face.
The couple's over-the-top lifestyle is a big part of the popular reality show. They live in a six-bedroom mansion in Montville, New Jersey.
Former cast member Kim Granatell thinks Teresa is getting what she deserves. She told INSIDE EDITION, "I want her to go to jail. I want her to rot in prison."
But another former cast-mate, ally Kim DePaola, is standing with her friend. "I love Teresa, and I love Joe, and I don't think Teresa would ever willing do anything wrong. I think that, in this country, thank God, we are innocent until proven guilty."
Teresa released this statement: “Today is the most difficult day for our family. I am hopeful that we will resolve this matter with the government as quickly as possible.”
Now, they face the stark reality that if convicted, they could be sentenced to 30 years in prison. And it turns out Joe Giudice, whose real name is Giuseppi, could face further punishment.
US Attorney Paul Fishman said, "Giuseppi Giudice is not a citizen of the United States. He's a citizen of Italy, and in the event of his conviction is facing possible deportation to Italy."
After the court hearing, Joe's mom was still seathing. "Are you concerned about your son?" asked Trent.
She replied, "Worry about it yourself."
