The 'Real Housewives of New Jersey' couple 'vehemently deny their guilt' to multiple bankruptcy, fraud and tax charges.
- August 15, 2013
AceShowbiz -
Teresa Giudice and her husband Joe Giudice entered not-guilty pleas to multiple federal fraud charges. The embattled couple of "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" arrived holding hands at the U.S. District Court in Newark, N.J., on Wednesday, August 14.
"They vehemently deny their guilt. There's a presumption of innocence and they vehemently assert their innocence," Joe's lawyer Miles Feinstein said before the court session. The couple remained silent as their attorneys spoke on their behalf during the five-minute proceedings.
Teresa and Joe were indicted on 39 counts of "conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, bank fraud, making false statements on loan applications and bankruptcy fraud." They are accused of exaggerating their income when applying for loans prior to their 2009 debut on the Bravo show, and then hiding their assets when filing for bankruptcy a year later.
Joe, whose first name is Giuseppe, has also been charged for failing to file tax returns from 2004 through 2008. He and his wife are facing hundreds of years in jail and millions of dollars in fines if convicted. An Italian citizen, he is additionally in jeopardy of being deported.
The pair are currently free on a $500,000 bond each. A trial is set for October 8 by U.S. District Judge Esther Salas.
