You'd think that being a star on a reality TV program might make a person immune to intrusive cameras, but Joe Giudice, who appears with his wife Teresa on Bravo's "Real Housewives of New Jersey" apparently has his limits.
The husband-and-wife team who have kept "Housewives" on its toes lately were dogged by numerous cameras and reporters Tuesday morning as they arrived at a Newark, N.J. federal courthouse to answer charges leveled yesterday. In the video, Joe swats away several shooters who get into his face as he and Teresa hold held hands and hurried toward the courthouse entrance without saying a word.
Once inside, the pair heard the charges read aloud and did not enter pleas to the charges; that will be taken care of during their Aug. 14 arraignment hearing, according to NJ.com. They were released on $500,000 unsecured appearance bonds each. In addition, a prosecutor noted that Joe is a citizen of Italy and not of the United States, and faces deportation if convicted. Afterward, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman said a plea deal had not been discussed.
The Giudices were charged Monday with 39 counts of fraud after federal prosecutors alleged that they used fake paystubs, tax returns and W-2s to secure nearly $5 million in loans before trying to declare bankruptcy.
They face up to 30 years in prison and millions in fines if convicted. Teresa's lawyer said yesterday that she would plead "not guilty."