Still showing a united front! Teresa and Joe Giudice held hands while heading into federal court in Newark, N.J. on Wednesday, Nov. 20. Us Weekly can confirm that the Real Housewives of New Jersey stars pleaded not guilty to the two new fraud charges they were indicted on Tuesday.
With a serious look on her face, Teresa, 41, made her way into court wearing a long black coat and gray dress pants. She styled her long dark hair down in curls. Husband Joe, 43, hid behind dark shades, and wore a gray suit under a black winter coat.
On Monday, Nov. 18, the spouses were indicted on two more counts of fraud in addition to the 39 counts they were indicted on back in July. According to NJ.com, the new counts stemmed from a $361,250 mortgage loan obtained by Teresa in July 2005. According to authorities, Teresa’s loan application allegedly falsely listed the Bravo star as employed as a realtor earning $15,000 per month.
“As she did with respect to the allegations contained in the original indictment, Teresa intends to plead ‘not guilty’ to the allegations in the new indictment,” Teresa’s lawyer told Us in a statement Monday. “She looks forward to defending herself at the trial, scheduled for February 24, 2014. Beyond that, we will answer all of the charges in court, not out.”
In court Wednesday, the prosecutor said they were going to pursue deportation for Joe. The father of four daughters — Gia (born 2001), Gabriella (born 2004), Milani (born 2005) and Audriana (born 2009) — is not a U.S. citizen, but an Italian one.
After the hearing, Joe’s lawyer made a brief statement to the press saying they “have to be optimistic,” but added that it’s “a real shame” and his client “has been here a long time.”
If convicted on all counts, Teresa and Joe could face up to 50 years in prison.
