'Real Housewives of New Jersey' Melissa Gorga Supports Teresa Giudice in Wake of Indictment
Teresa Giudice and her husband Joe are facing a possible 50-year jail sentence, but the "Real Housewives of New Jersey" star can count on her sister-in-law and on screen rival to be there for support.
Joe's sister Melissa Gorga made an appearance on "Watch What Happens Live" and revealed that the two are in "are in a much better place than we've been in a long time … That's the most important part," Melissa said. "My husband [only] has one sister."
"I've reached out and spoke to Teresa [since the indictment]," Gorga revealed on the show. "She knows I have her back, and that the kids, of course, are the number-one priority, and that's what [husband] Joe and I are always here for ... no matter what."
Teresa is scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 14.
The reality couple has been accused of exaggerating income when applying for loans and not disclosing full income amounts when applying for bankruptcy after they appeared on the "Real Housewives" reality show in 2009. Both husband, 43, and wife, 41, face a 39-count indictment, according to reports.
In 2009 the couple filed for bankruptcy claiming over $10 million worth of debt. In an interview just after the filing, Teresa Giudice said on "The View" that she and her husband had run into trouble because tenants living in homes rented out by her husband had failed to pay rent in a downturned economy. The indictment includes conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, bank fraud, making false statements on loan applications and bankruptcy fraud.
In addition, Joe Giudice also faces penalties for failing to file tax returns from 2004-2008, making false claims about employments status and salaries. During that time he is alleged to have earned nearly $1 million.