Entertainment

Teresa & Joe Enter Plea in Federal Court

by Lindsay Mannering

On Wednesday afternoon, Real Housewives of New Jersey stars Teresa Giudice and Joe Giudice pleaded not guilty in a federal court in Newark. The couple faces 39 counts of fraud that could land them up to 30 years in jail, and apparently, they're claiming that they didn't do anything wrong. The New York Post reports that Teresa looked somber in the courtroom, and when asked by her lawyer if she was OK, she responded, "I'm OK."

Even though fans of the hit Bravo reality show know that Teresa is excellent when it comes to denial, there's no one out there who actually believes that she's OK. The charges against her and her husband are serious — bank fraud, mortgage fraud, bankruptcy fraud, mail fraud, tax fraud — and it would be very surprising if they walked away unscathed. While they may not be sent to the slammer for 30 years if convicted, a sentence of two or three years is not uncommon in cases like these.

The family has put on a brave face since the charges were announced and have shared photos on social media of their beach getaways. Teresa, hasn't even stopped working, and attended her scheduled book signing last night, after visiting a salon. That said, her tough-as-nails front is as admirable as it is confusing — doesn't she realize what's happening? — but when it comes to the Giudices, it's always about keeping up appearances.

The judge set a trial date of October 8. No word whether or not the Bravo reality cameras will be there to capture this, the realest thing yet to happen to any of its cast members.