Teresa Giudice Reflects on Fraud Case and Prison Time on New Housewives Series

During a cover interview for one outlet, Teresa Giudice recounted the federal indictment that accused her and then-husband Joe of a multi-year financial fraud scheme, which resulted in her serving 11 months in prison and his 41-month sentence followed by deportation to Italy. She said she continued appearing on Real Housewives of New Jersey because she did not fully grasp her husband’s actions and felt obligated as a television personality to see the process through.

Giudice maintains she never intended to be jailed and attributes her conviction to a single real-estate closing she signed. The discussion coincides with the launch of Bravo’s Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Roaring 20th, a nine-episode celebration of the franchise’s 20-year history featuring a large all-star cast. She also revealed she is now married to Luis “Louie” Ruelas and that she and Melissa Gorga have mended their relationship ahead of RHONJ season 15, which is currently in production.