Is Teresa Giudice doomed to become the Italian Piper Kerman? I wouldn’t bet against it given she and her husband Juicy Joe Giudice have been slapped with a 39-count indictment related to accusations of tax fraud.
The charges are as follows (via The Hollywood Reporter):
They were charged in a 39-count indictment Monday with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, bank fraud, making false statements on loan applications and bankruptcy fraud.
The couple is accused of exaggerating their income while applying for loans before their TV show debuted in 2009, then hiding their fortunes in a bankruptcy filing after their first season aired. Authorities allege the couple submitted fraudulent mortgage and other loan applications from 2001 to 2008, a year before their show debuted on Bravo. Prosecutors said the couple submitted fake W-2s, tax returns and bank account information to lenders.
Prosecutors allege the Giudices received about $4.6 million in mortgages, withdrawals from home equity lines of credit and construction loans. Joe Giudice, an entrepreneur, also failed to file tax returns for the years 2004 through 2008, when he is alleged to have earned nearly $1 million, prosecutors said. During that time his income allegedly fluctuated wildly; the indictment states he made $323,481 in 2005 and $26,194 in 2006.
This is about 50 years worth of prison time. I can see Teresa Giudice now, watching Orange Is The New Black by way of someone else’s Netflix account, trying to figure out if she can handle what potentially awaits her. Or maybe not, because from the looks of Teresa’s statement, someone may be willing to take the brunt of the burden.
In a statement, Teresa wrote:
“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. Thank you all for your kind wishes, prayers and support.”
Translation: Joe did it all, don’t blame me. If she manages to escape serious jail time, she’s going to score some kind of spinoff on life as a single mother with a booming business.
Don’t be shocked if that happens either because it looks like mama’s got a plan. Then again, based on these charges, it looks as if the Giudices aren’t the best planners.
