Teresa and Joe Giudice Released on $1M Bond, Briefed on Possible Deportation
Celebrity

The 'Real Housewives of New Jersey' couple posts a $500,000 bond each and has to give up their passports after being indicted for alleged federal fraud.

AceShowbiz - Teresa Giudice and her husband Giuseppe "Joe" Giudice were set free by Judge Cathy Waldor after posting a $500,000 bond each Tuesday, July 30. "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" stars appeared in court for a hearing of their federal fraud and tax charges.

The couple was ordered to surrender their passports and limit their travel to New Jersey and New York only. During the hearing in Newark Federal Court, they were also briefed on the possibility of Joe, an Italian citizen, being deported to his home country if he's convicted.

Teresa wearing a white pantsuit and Joe donning a dark tuxedo arrived in a white Honda Ridgeline truck. A plea deal for the couple hasn't been discussed, says U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman, but The Giudices' lawyer previously said the couple would plead not guilty.

The embattled couple stayed silent, but his parents were a different story. His mother Filomena snapped, "None of your f***ing business," when asked about the deportation possibility. His father Frank added, "Go to hell," and, at one point, flipped off the photographers.

Teresa's lawyer Henry Klingeman said his client was "being targeted because of her celebrity," adding, "The family's handling themselves with great dignity." He went on, "We hope that she's vindicated and spends no time in jail. But it's a federal case and there's always a risk of jail."

Teresa and Joe are indicted on 39 counts of "conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, bank fraud, making false statements on loan applications and bankruptcy fraud." They are accused of exaggerating their income when applying for loans prior to their 2009 debut on the Bravo show, and hiding their assets when filing for bankruptcy a year later.

Joe is additionally accused of failing to file tax returns from 2004 through 2008 during which he collected income totaling almost a million dollars. He is charged with five separate counts of tax evasion as a result. Each could face up to 20 or 30 years in prison if convicted.

A next hearing is set for August 14.

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