Teresa Giudice and her husband Joe plead not guilty to a number of charges today at a courthouse in New Jersey.
Entertainment Weekly reports that the stars of Real Housewives of New Jersey appeared in front of a judge today in Newark.
Teresa and Joe Giudice were charged last month on 39 counts. They plead not guilty today to all charges, including mail and wire fraud, making false statements on a loan application, and bankruptcy fraud.
Miles Feinstein, who is representing Joe Giudice, said: “They vehemently deny their guilt… There’s an assumption of innocence and they vehemently assert their innocence.”
The celebrity couple is accused of lying about their income on loan applications before their reality show premiered. They also reportedly lied about their income when they filed for bankruptcy. Joe is also accused of obtaining fraudulent construction loans. He also failed to pay taxes between 2004 and 2008.
The NY Daily News notes that Joe and Teresa Giudice face up to 50 years in prison if they are convicted. Joe, whose real name is Giuseppe, also is at risk of deportation.
Joe Giudice was born in Italy and is not an American citizen.
Feinstein said: “Joe didn’t know he wasn’t a citizen. The rest of his family is. Had he know and applied for citizenship he certainly would have gotten it.”
The reality stars may face some dire consequences but they are both doing their best to carry on with their lives. Last week, Joe and Teresa Giudice were spotted on a beach vacation with their children .
