'Real Housewives of New Jersey' stars charged with fraud
Teresa and Joe Giudice facing 30 years in prison
Two stars of the "Real Housewives of New Jersey" have been freed on $500,000 bond each amid fraud charges.
Teresa Giudice and her husband, Giuseppe "Joe" Giudice, appeared in federal court Tuesday morning.
The Giudices are charged in a 39-count indictment with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, bank fraud, making false statements on loan applications and bankruptcy fraud.
They both had to surrender their passports and can't travel outside of New Jersey and New York. The husband could be deported to Italy if convicted because he's not a U.S. citizen.
Authorities say the couple submitted fraudulent mortgage and loan applications from 2001 to 2008, including fake tax returns and W-2s. Prosecutors allege Joe Giudice failed to file tax returns for the years 2004 through 2008.
Prosecutors allege the Giudices received about $4.6 million in mortgages, withdrawals from home equity lines of credit and construction loans.
In a statement, Teresa said she supports her husband and wants to resolve the charges as soon as possible.
"I am committed to my family and intend to maintain our lives in the best way possible, which includes continuing my career," she said.
A Bravo spokesman had no comment.
"Everyone has an obligation to tell the truth when dealing with the courts, paying their taxes and applying for loans or mortgages," said U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman. "That's reality."
In their 2009 bankruptcy filing, the couple said they were $11 million in debt. They stated their monthly take-home pay was $16,583, but $10,000 was from "monthly assistance from family members" and Bravo income.
It also said they owed $2.2 million in mortgages, $13,000 to Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom and nearly $12,000 to a fertility clinic.
The most serious charges the couple face, bank fraud and loan application fraud, carry a maximum potential penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine.
They are set to make a plea on August 14.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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