Real Housewives Couple Indicted On Federal Fraud Charges
Two stars of the Bravo reality show have been indicted on federal fraud charges for allegedly exaggerating their income while they applied for loans before the pair debuted on the show in 2009.
Giuseppe “Joe” Giudice, 43, and, his wife Teresa Giudice, 41, have been charged with 39 different counts that include conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, making dishonest declarations on loan applications and bank fraud. They’re also charged with bankruptcy fraud after they tried to hide their money during a bankruptcy filing after the first season of the Real Housewives of New Jersey aired.
The couple said they hope to resolve all the federal fraud charges are quick as they could.
The Newark, N.J. federal court handed down the 39-count indictment accusing them of the bank and bankruptcy fraud. Joe is accused for failing to file five years of tax returns as well. Before the show, he alleged he earned about $1 million.
Teresa’s attorney said the she’ll plead not guilty to all counts and that she looks forward to being vindicated. Teresa said in her statement that today was a difficult day for her family and that she fully supports her husband. She said she’s committed to continuing her career.
According to the indictment, the couple submitted fraudulent mortgage and various loan applications starting in 2001 all the way up to 2008, one year before their show began. On the applications, they made phony claims regarding their salaries and employment. The government stated that Joe did not file tax returns for 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008, where is supposedly made approximately $1 million.
The indictment said Teresa tried to get a $121,000 mortgage loan in 2001 and claimed she was working as an executive assistant. It’s alleged she submitted false W-2 forms and paycheck stubs to get the loan.
In their bankruptcy protection petition, which was started in October 2009, the pair hid businesses they owned, income they received from rental units and Teresa’s actual income from the show’s personal appearances and website sales. It also alleges that the pair hid their projected income increase from the show’s upcoming second season.
The popular Bravo TV show is in its fifth season. There has been no comment about the matter from a network spokesman.
Online News Heard Now
Short URL: http://www.onlinenewsheardnow.com/?p=2106
Posted by News
on Jul 30 2013. Filed under Entertainment, New.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0.
Both comments and pings are currently closed.