“Real Housewives of New Jersey” star and her husband charged with fraud

While I really wouldn't know these girls from those of Jersey Shore or Basketball Wives or anything, I couldn't help but chuckle at this. Bank fraud and loan fraud of all things, while you're a public figure no less.

I suppose they weren't on TV because they were smart...

Two stars of the reality show “The Real Housewives of New Jersey” on Bravo TV have been hit with federal fraud charges and could be facing up to 50 years in prison each if convicted.

Teresa Giudice, 41, and her husband, Giuseppe “Joe” Giudice, 43, both of Towaco, N.J., were charged with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, bank fraud, making false statements on loan applications and bankruptcy fraud in a 39-count indictment on Monday. The indictment also charges Giuseppe Giudice with failure to file tax returns for tax years 2004 through 2008, during which time he allegedly earned nearly $1 million.

“Everyone has an obligation to tell the truth when dealing with the courts, paying their taxes and applying for loans or mortgages,” U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman said in a statement. “That’s reality.”

Fishman alleged that the couple lied to bankruptcy court, the Internal Revenue Service and a number of banks.

“The privilege of living well in the United States carries certain real responsibilities, including filing tax returns when required and paying the correct amount of tax,” said Shantelle P. Kitchen, Special Agent in Charge of IRS-Criminal Investigation at the Newark Field Office.

According to the indictment, in September 2001, Teresa Giudice applied for a mortgage loan of $121,500 for which she submitted a loan application that falsely claimed that she was employed as an executive assistant. She also submitted fake W-2 Forms and fake paystubs purportedly issued by her employer.

The indictment also charges specific instances where the Giudices committed bank fraud and loan application fraud in the course of obtaining loans from several banks.

On Oct. 29, 2009, the Giudices filed a petition for individual Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Newark.

The indictment alleged that the Giudices intentionally concealed businesses they owned, income they received from a rental property, and Teresa Giudice’s true income from the television show “The Real Housewives of New Jersey,” website sales, and personal and magazine appearances. Giudice has written several cookbooks and launched products after appearing on the realty show.

The Giudices have made headlines for their lavish lifestyle and crude behavior on the reality show, which is now in its fifth season. They have 4 children together.

Teresa Giudice responded to the charges by saying she intended to keep working, making a statement on her website:

“Today is a most difficult day for our family,” she said. “I support Joe and, as a wonderful husband and father, I know he wants only the best for our lovely daughters and me. I am committed to my family and intend to maintain our lives in the best way possible, which includes continuing my career. As a result, I am hopeful that we will resolve this matter with the Government as quickly as possible.”