FORT DIX, N.J. (AP) — Joe Giudice, the husband of “Real Housewives of New Jersey” star Teresa Giudice, reported to prison Wednesday to begin a 41-month sentence on fraud charges.
The couple pleaded guilty in 2014 to bankruptcy fraud, and Joe Giudice pleaded guilty to not paying about $200,000 in taxes.
Joe Giudice reported to Fort Dix’s federal prison in New Jersey around noon Wednesday, according to family attorney James Leonard. He was escorted to the prison by his wife, brother, sister, and others.
“It was obviously a very emotional day, but this is a very strong family with a tremendous support system and they will get through this, just as they did when Teresa was away,” Leonard said in a statement.
The judge staggered their sentences so that one of them would be able to take care of their four young daughters. Teresa Giudice completed a 15-month sentence in December.
The two pleaded admitted they hid assets from bankruptcy creditors and submitted phony loan applications to get $5 million in mortgages and construction loans. Joe Giudice also admitted he didn’t pay about $200,000 in taxes.
Under their plea agreement, they were ordered to pay $414,000 in restitution.
Giudice is not a U.S. citizen, and under federal immigration laws is to be deported to Italy after completing his sentence. With time off for good behavior, that could come in about 35 months, attorney Miles Feinstein said.
Giudice’s federal sentence will run concurrent with an 18-month state sentence for unlawful use of an ID and impersonation, stemming from his 2014 guilty plea in an unrelated case. He was charged with using his brother’s identity to obtain a driver’s license while his own license was suspended for driving while intoxicated in 2010.
