Teresa Giudice, one of the stars of the reality TV show “The Real Housewives of New Jersey,” was indicted on 39 counts of fraud in 2013 along with her husband Joe Giudice. The charges included bank fraud, wire fraud, mail fraud, and bankruptcy fraud. After pleading guilty to several counts, Teresa was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison.
Teresa served her time at the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury, Connecticut. She entered prison on January 5, 2015 and was released on December 23, 2015, for a total of 11 months and 18 days behind bars.
Teresa Giudice’s Convictions and Sentencing
In October 2014, Teresa was convicted on 4 counts:
- Conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud
- Bankruptcy fraud (2 counts)
- Failure to file a tax return
Her husband Joe was convicted on the same charges.
Prior to sentencing, Teresa’s attorney argued for leniency and a probation-only sentence. However, the prosecution pushed for imprisonment within the guidelines of 21 to 27 months.
Ultimately, Teresa was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison. Joe received a 41-month sentence.
Below is a table outlining Teresa’s convictions, sentence date, and time served:
| Date | Conviction & Sentence |
|---|---|
| October 2, 2014 | Convicted on 4 counts of fraud |
| October 2, 2014 | Sentenced to 15 months in prison |
| January 5, 2015 | Began serving sentence at FCI Danbury |
| December 23, 2015 | Released from prison after 11 months, 18 days |
Teresa Giudice’s Quotes on Her Conviction and Time in Prison
Teresa has been open about her emotions during the legal process and incarceration. Below are some quotes from Teresa about her conviction and time in prison:
“I have to accept whatever comes my way gracefully. I have to accept my circumstances and learn to live with them. I don’t have a choice. This is my life; I have to deal with it.”
“I made a mistake. It was a thoughtless, careless mistake, but it was a mistake, and I apologize for that. Now I have to pay the consequences.”
“I’m scared of being there, away from my kids. What’s going to happen to them if something happens to me?”
“Prison has humbled me. I take things day by day now. I try to make smarter choices. I miss the little things, like making lunch for my daughters or taking them to their activities.”
Related Questions
What crimes was Teresa Giudice convicted of?
Teresa was convicted on 4 counts – conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, bankruptcy fraud (2 counts), and failure to file a tax return. The charges stemmed from falsely inflating income on loan applications, failing to report income sources, and concealing assets in bankruptcy filings.
Where did Teresa Giudice serve her prison sentence?
Teresa served 11 and a half months at the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury, Connecticut. This low-security women’s prison has previously housed other celebrities like Lauryn Hill and Piper Kerman.
Did Teresa’s husband Joe Giudice also go to prison?
Yes, Joe Giudice was convicted on the same charges and sentenced to 41 months in prison. He served his time first from March 2016 to March 2019 at FCI Fort Dix in New Jersey. After being released, Joe was deported to Italy where he currently resides.
How much time did Teresa Giudice actually serve in prison?
Although her sentence was for 15 months, Teresa was released a few weeks early on December 23, 2015 after serving 11 months and 18 days. Factoring in good behavior credits, this constituted her full sentence.
Did Teresa’s prison time play out on The Real Housewives of New Jersey?
No, Bravo’s reality show did not film while Teresa was incarcerated. The show took a hiatus during her prison sentence. Teresa did share stories about her time after being released.
What was day-to-day life like for Teresa in prison?
Teresa has described the very regimented schedule at Danbury – wake up at 6am, menial jobs, count times, limited free time. She shared a bunk with 3 other women and described the food as barely edible.
How did Teresa’s family support her while in prison?
Teresa’s husband Joe took over parenting their 4 daughters. The girls were able to visit Teresa most weekends at Danbury. Teresa said their visits kept her spirits up.
What did Teresa do after being released from prison?
After serving her sentence, Teresa returned to her family and filming The Real Housewives of New Jersey. She also wrote a memoir titled “Turning the Tables: From Housewife to Inmate and Back Again.”
Conclusion
In summary, Teresa Giudice served 11 months and 18 days in federal prison after pleading guilty to fraud charges in 2014. Along with her husband Joe, she was convicted on conspiracy, bankruptcy fraud, and tax evasion counts. Teresa served her sentence at FCI Danbury in Connecticut and was released in December 2015.
Teresa has been candid about her life-changing experience in prison and how it gave her perspective on what matters most – her family. While a polarizing figure, her case underscores how even a short prison sentence can have profound personal impacts. Teresa’s charges and incarceration were defining points in her legal saga that played out publicly due to her reality TV fame. Her time in prison was a transformative experience that she continues to open up about.