Joe and Teresa Giudice pled guilty to fraud back in March, and today the Real Housewives of New Jersey stars finally faced the music.
Joe Giudice was sentenced to 41 months behind bars for his crimes. Giudice blamed his crimes on alcoholism and requested to be sent to a rehab facility instead of prison.
After a several hour delay, the hearing convened and Teresa Giudice was sentenced to 15 months in prison.
Teresa reportedly begged for leniency and wept hysterically as the sentence was announced.
Teresa could have received up to 27 months behind bars. It’s unknown why the Judge Esther Salas decided to go easy on her, particularly since Salas began the hearing by stating that she was outraged that the Giudices had lied in financial documents requested by the court.
The judge has allowed for staggered sentences – meaning that Joe and Teresa will do their time during different periods, so that one of them will be free to perform parental duties at all times.
Teresa is scheduled to report to prison on January 5. Once she is released, her husband will begin serving his sentence.