'Housewives' couple plead guilty to fraud in NJ

3/4/2014
ASSOCIATED PRESS
“The Real Housewives of New Jersey” stars Giuseppe
“The Real Housewives of New Jersey” stars Giuseppe "Joe" Giudice, left, and his wife, Teresa Giudice, of Montville Township, N.J., walk out of Martin Luther King Jr. Courthouse after an appearance in Newark, N.J. in July.

NEWARK, N.J. — Husband-and-wife members of the “Real Housewives of New Jersey” cast have pleaded guilty to fraud.

Teresa and Giuseppe “Joe” Giudice arrived at the federal courthouse in Newark today without speaking to reporters. They each pleaded guilty to several counts including bankruptcy fraud, conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud, and failing to pay taxes.

Under federal guidelines, Joe Giudice faces a potential sentence of 37 to 46 months and Teresa Giudice could get 21 to 27 months.

The couple was accused last year of exaggerating income while applying for loans before the show debuted in 2009, then hiding their fortunes in a bankruptcy filing after their first season aired.

They were also accused of submitting fraudulent mortgage and loan applications and fabricating tax returns and W-2 forms.