Teresa Giudice, star of "The Real Housewives of New Jersey," is shocked to be going to prison on conspiracy and bankruptcy charges for 15 months starting Jan. 5, she said in a Monday TV interview.
Giudice was sentenced to a year and three months while her husband Joe Giudice was sentenced to 41 months after appearing in federal court last Thursday, according to The Associated Press.
In a nod to the couple's four young daughters, the judge staggered the sentences so she will serve her sentence first. She is scheduled to report to prison four days after New Year's Day..
"I feel like I'm numb. Like surreal. All's I keep thinking about is my daughters," said the glum Giudice, who was seated beside her husband in matching wingchairs, holding hands as they were questioned by Bravo host Andy Cohen in an interview special that aired Monday night after being taped last Friday.
"I actually felt like I got hit in the back of the neck by a bat," said Joe Giudice, describing his reaction to the sentencing the day before. "I don't know. It is what it is."
The couple had pleaded guilty in March, admitting they hid assets from bankruptcy creditors and submitted phony loan applications to get some $5 million in mortgages and construction loans. Joe also pleaded guilty to failing to pay taxes totaling more than $200,000.
"I expected me (to get jail time). I wasn't expecting her," said Joe Giudice. "She had no part in my businesses or whatever. She really didn't."
Asked how such things went so awry, the couple seemed to be trying to explain.
"Whatever Joe told me to sign, I would sign," said Teresa Giudice, declaring she had never made a habit of reading or understanding legal documents.
Cohen asked Joe if he knew the questionable nature of the contracts he was handing his wife.
"Just whatever the bank gave me for her to sign," he replied.
"But you were taking out false loans," Cohen pointed out.
"All right, whatever," Joe said. "I was taking out false loans."
No real excuse came to light for the illegal practices, and both Giudices denied that any appetite for living large had put them in financial distress.
On the contrary, they insisted they are thrifty with their money.
When Cohen, at Joe Giudice's prompting, guessed that his suit cost $600, Joe corrected the record: "Two suits, two shirts, two ties for $250 – and they tailor it," he said proudly.
But losing any smugness, he said he was more worried about his wife's imprisonment than his own.
"If you stick me with a knife I wouldn't even feel it, y'know?"
Teresa predicted she would manage in prison without the fancy dresses and makeup that are part of her "Housewives" persona ("I'll just slick my hair back and go about my day"), and vowed to keep her famous temper in check ("No one can push my buttons anymore").
Her greatest regret as she faces imprisonment is separation from her daughters, she said, while her greatest concern is for their welfare while being separated from their mom.
Asked how he feels as he faces Teresa's imminent incarceration and his role as single parent, Joe Giudice replied, "It's gonna be a lot of work. But they're my daughters and I gotta do what I gotta do."
Then, with a rueful laugh, he added, "I guess I'm gonna be the housewife."
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