Those of you who watched Teresa Guidice on Celebrity Apprentice the season that Clay Aiken was runner up might be interested in this item. Or, maybe you’re a fan of the Real Housewives of New Jersey, of which Teresa is cast member.
Teresa and her husband Joe, were charged Monday in a “conspiracy to defraud lenders and illegally obtain mortgages and other loans, as well as allegedly hiding assets and income during a bankruptcy case, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.”
The Bravo reality stars were charged with:
“…conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, bank fraud, making false statements on loan applications and bankruptcy fraud in a 39-count indictment returned today by a federal grand jury. The indictment also charges Joe Giudice with failure to file tax returns for tax years 2004 through 2008, during which time he allegedly earned nearly $1 million.”
“The indictment returned today alleges the Giudices lied to the bankruptcy court, to the IRS and to a number of banks,” U.S. Attorney Fishman said. “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.”
The activity the couple are indicted for took place prior to their debut on “Housewives” and subsequent Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing. The duo face as much as 30 years in prison and fines that could exceed $1 million.
The alleged illegal activity took place between September 2001 and September 2008 and included a mail and wire fraud conspiracy in which they submitted to lenders fraudulent mortgage and loan applications in order to obtain loans. The couple lied on the applications regarding their employment–claiming they were receiving large salaries, when in fact they were not.
Teresa released a statement via twitter, “Today is a most difficult day for our family. I support Joe and, as a wonderful husband and father, I know he wants only the best for our lovely daughters and me. I am committed to my family and intend to maintain our lives in the best way possible, which includes continuing my career. As a result, I am hopeful that we will resolve this matter with the Government as quickly as possible.”
They are due to appear in a Newark, NJ, federal courthouse Tuesday morning at 10 a.m.
