Real Housewife, Hubby Rack Up More Charges

Teresa, Joe Giudice both plan to plead not guilty
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Nov 19, 2013 9:35 AM CST
Real Housewife , Hubby Rack Up More Charges
In this July 30, 2013 photo, “The Real Housewives of New Jersey” stars Joe Giudice, left, and his wife, Teresa Giudice, walk out of Martin Luther King Jr. Courthouse after an appearance in Newark, NJ.   (Julio Cortez)

Two stars of The Real Housewives of New Jersey are facing additional federal fraud charges. Joe and Teresa Giudice were each indicted yesterday on one count of bank fraud and one count of loan application fraud. Authorities allege the couple prepared a mortgage loan application stating that Teresa Giudice worked as a real estate agent and made $15,000 a month. In reality, authorities said, she was not employed. Yesterday's charges are in addition to a 39-count indictment handed down in July, charging the couple with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, bank fraud, making false statements on loan applications, and bankruptcy fraud. Joe Giudice also allegedly failed to file tax returns from 2004 to 2008.

The north Jersey residents, parents to four young daughters and known on the show for their lavish lifestyle and massive home, pleaded not guilty in July and are scheduled to be arraigned on the new charges tomorrow. Teresa Giudice's lawyer says she plans to plead not guilty to the new charges. "She looks forward to defending herself at the trial, scheduled for February 24, 2014," he says in a statement. Joe Giudice's lawyer says his client plans to also plead not guilty. "Our position is that it's really piling on," he says. Authorities say the couple exaggerated their income while applying for loans before their TV show debuted in 2009, then hid their improving fortunes in a bankruptcy filing. Teresa apparently isn't all that concerned she'll actually go to jail. (More Teresa Giudice stories.)

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