Teresa Giudice, who appears in "Real Housewives of New Jersey", and her husband Giuseppe Giudince have pleaded guilty to giving false statements regarding their income during bankruptcy proceedings and now face prison terms.
AOL reports that the couple solemnly stood before the U.S. magistrate Esther Salas in Newark on Tuesday and pleaded guilty to committing email and wire fraud as well as three other frauds, including failing to file their tax return for 2004. Giuseppe also admitted that he did not file taxes on income worth $1 million between 2004 and 2008.
The couple, who unsuccessfully sought separate trials, were scheduled for trial for more than 40 counts.
In a statement read out by her counsel Henry Klingeman, Teresa said that she owns the responsibility for successive mistakes made by her many years ago and will make a declaration to the court when they are sentenced on July 8. She wrote, "I will describe the choices I made, continue to take responsibility for my decisions and express my remorse to Judge Salas and the public," adding, "I am heartbroken that this is affecting my family -- especially my four young daughters, who mean more to me than anything in the world."
As per the federal sentencing procedures, Giuseppe possibly faces an imprisonment for anything between 37 and 46 months, while Teresa may perhaps be sentenced for 21 to 27 months. However, Klingeman said his clients would ask for probation.
Giuseppe's attorney Miles Feinstein told AOL that since he continues to hold an Italian passport, he might be deported once he completes his sentence. Interestingly, Feinstein added that his client came to the United States when he was an infant and was unaware of the fact that he was not a U.S. citizen.
Last year, Giuseppe and Teresa were charged with overstating their income when they applied for loans, prior to their debut in the show in 2009. After their first season was broadcast, the couple also concealed their wealth in a bankruptcy filing. Court documents show that in 2009, the couple filed for bankruptcy and asserted that they owed $11 million, counting $2.2 million in mortgages.
On Tuesday, the couple acknowledged they had submitted counterfeit loan and mortgage application and also fabricated tax returns as well as W-2 forms.
Tresea Giudice rose to fame with her specialty food, cookbooks; drink and hair care product lines. Her lawyer said she would continue to work on the show till imprisonment.
