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‘RHONJ’ Star Teresa Giudice’s Husband Joe To Be Deported: ‘I Have To Tell My Kids’
Former Real Housewives of New Jersey star Joe Giudice will be deported from the United States back to his native Italy, Radar Online reports. After learning of his demise, the 46-year-old pleaded with the judge without success.
“Based upon the law, I find you deportable and ineligible for any kind of relief,” Judge John Ellington announced at Wednesday’s court hearing in Pennsylvania. “Mr. Giudice, no matter how this turns out, I wish you the best. I decided this case as a matter of law.”
“I don’t understand. How I can be deported on this case?” Joe asked following the news. “If you will, I’ll tell you my side. I shouldn’t even be here right now.”
In response, Judge Ellington replied, “I’m relying on the conviction documents. This is what makes our country great. You can appeal and the court of appeals may not agree with me.”
“I have to go back and tell my kids this. They’ve been waiting to hear from me,” he said.
In July 2013, both Joe and his wife, Teresa Giudice, were indicted on 39 counts of fraud and tax charges, later facing an additional two counts that November. (The couple had already dealt with financial woes for years and filed for bankruptcy in 2009.)
At the time, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman charged the Bravo reality stars with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, bank fraud, bankruptcy fraud, and making false statements on loan applications. The indictment also singled out Joe with failure to file his tax returns from 2004 to 2008, a time period during which he earned $1 million. Teresa completed 11 months of a 15-month sentence for fraud and was released from prison on Dec. 23, 2015.
Prior to leaving court, Joe continued to beg the judge to reconsider.
“My charges are one of the lowest charges in this whole BOP facility or whatever you call it. I can explain,” he cried.”I don’t think your attorney will want that, Mr. Giudice,” Ellington said.
During his last court hearing on Sept. 1, Joe hoped his words would allow him to stay in the U.S. with his famous wife and their four daughters. “I’ve been here my whole life, I wouldn’t know what to do in any other country,” he said at the time. “I want to stay here.”
