Teresa Giudice: ‘Real Housewives’ star released | CNN

‘Real Housewives’ star Teresa Giudice released from prison

Lisa Respers France
By Lisa Respers France, CNN
2 minute read
Updated 10:18 AM EST, Wed December 23, 2015
Teresa Giudice and husband Joe Giudice, both of the "Real Housewives of New Jersey," <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hlntv.com%2Farticle%2F2014%2F03%2F04%2Fhousewives-teresa-joe-giudice-plead-guilty-fraud" target="_blank" target="_blank">pleaded guilty in March 2014 to multiple federal fraud charges,</a> including conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and lying on mortgage and loan applications. Teresa was freed from prison in December 2015 after serving 15 months; Joe began serving his 41- month sentence in June 2016. Click through to see other "RH" stars who have found themselves in court.
Teresa Giudice and husband Joe Giudice, both of the "Real Housewives of New Jersey," pleaded guilty in March 2014 to multiple federal fraud charges, including conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and lying on mortgage and loan applications. Teresa was freed from prison in December 2015 after serving 15 months; Joe began serving his 41- month sentence in June 2016. Click through to see other "RH" stars who have found themselves in court.
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Kim Richards of the "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" has had some trouble. In August 2015 she was arrested and accused of shoplifting from a Target store in the San Fernando Valley. The incident came four months after she was arrested and accused of trespassing, resisting arrest and public intoxication. She later went into rehab which she has participated in a few times over the years.
Kim Richards of the "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" has had some trouble. In August 2015 she was arrested and accused of shoplifting from a Target store in the San Fernando Valley. The incident came four months after she was arrested and accused of trespassing, resisting arrest and public intoxication. She later went into rehab which she has participated in a few times over the years.
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In July 2014 Apollo Nida, husband of Phaedra Parks from "Real Housewives of Atlanta," was sentenced to eight years in prison followed by five years of supervised release "for conspiring to commit mail, wire and bank fraud." The couple, who share two sons, split the same year.
In July 2014 Apollo Nida, husband of Phaedra Parks from "Real Housewives of Atlanta," was sentenced to eight years in prison followed by five years of supervised release "for conspiring to commit mail, wire and bank fraud." The couple, who share two sons, split the same year.
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In May 2014, former "Real Housewives of New York" cast member Bethenny Frankel testified in court during a custody battle with ex-husband Jason Hoppy for their 4-year-old daughter, Bryn. <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.people.com%2Farticle%2Fbethenny-frankel-divorce-custody-battle-jason-hoppy-settled-daughter-brynn" target="_blank" target="_blank">That case was settled in June</a>, but that's not Frankel's only courtroom trouble. <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hollywoodreporter.com%2Fthr-esq%2Fbethenny-frankel-settles-100-million-lawsuit-337953" target="_blank" target="_blank">According to The Hollywood Reporter,</a> in 2012, Frankel settled a $100 million lawsuit over her popular Skinnygirl Cocktail brand after a management company accused her of cutting them out of the lucrative deal when she sold her company.
In May 2014, former "Real Housewives of New York" cast member Bethenny Frankel testified in court during a custody battle with ex-husband Jason Hoppy for their 4-year-old daughter, Bryn. That case was settled in June, but that's not Frankel's only courtroom trouble. According to The Hollywood Reporter, in 2012, Frankel settled a $100 million lawsuit over her popular Skinnygirl Cocktail brand after a management company accused her of cutting them out of the lucrative deal when she sold her company.
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In 2013, NeNe Leakes remarried her ex-husband Gregg Leakes, and the "Real Housewives of Atlanta" stars were accused by their wedding planner of <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tmz.com%2F2013%2F07%2F26%2Fnene-leakes-wedding-planner-lawsuit-tiffany-cook-real-housewives%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">not paying a balance of more than $1 million. </a>Leakes denied the accusation on <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2FNeNeLeakes" target="_blank" target="_blank">her Twitter account.</a> The case was eventually dismissed.
In 2013, NeNe Leakes remarried her ex-husband Gregg Leakes, and the "Real Housewives of Atlanta" stars were accused by their wedding planner of not paying a balance of more than $1 million. Leakes denied the accusation on her Twitter account. The case was eventually dismissed.
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Jacqueline Laurita and her husband, Chris, were <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tmz.com%2F2013%2F04%2F16%2Freal-housewives-of-new-jersey-jacqueline-laurita-mansion-foreclosure%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">sued by the bank that held their mortgage</a> on accusations of missing payments. The "Real Housewives of New Jersey" cast member had also been accused of owing state taxes.
Jacqueline Laurita and her husband, Chris, were sued by the bank that held their mortgage on accusations of missing payments. The "Real Housewives of New Jersey" cast member had also been accused of owing state taxes.
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<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnbc.com%2Fid%2F100553627" target="_blank" target="_blank">"Today" called it the "battle of the bulge"</a> when former "Real Housewives of New York" Heather Thomson was sued in March 2013 by Spanx over her brand of Yummie Tummie shapewear.
"Today" called it the "battle of the bulge" when former "Real Housewives of New York" Heather Thomson was sued in March 2013 by Spanx over her brand of Yummie Tummie shapewear.
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"Real Housewives of Orange County" star Vicki Gunvalson dodged a legal bullet <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thewrap.com%2Ftv%2Farticle%2Freal-housewives-ocs-vicki-gunvalson-escapes-250k-lawsuit-ex-beau-not-so-lucky-103641" target="_blank" target="_blank">when a $250,000 breach of contract suit against her was dismissed</a> in July 2013. But boyfriend Brooks Ayers didn't fare so well in the case, which accused Gunvalson of giving Ayers a percentage of a vodka business without informing her business partner. The portion of the suit against Ayers was not dismissed.
"Real Housewives of Orange County" star Vicki Gunvalson dodged a legal bullet when a $250,000 breach of contract suit against her was dismissed in July 2013. But boyfriend Brooks Ayers didn't fare so well in the case, which accused Gunvalson of giving Ayers a percentage of a vodka business without informing her business partner. The portion of the suit against Ayers was not dismissed.
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"Real Housewives of New York" dealt a great deal with the <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.usmagazine.com%2Fentertainment%2Fnews%2Fnyc-housewife-sonja-morgan-198-million-in-debt-blames-john-travolta-20101711" target="_blank" target="_blank">financial troubles of cast member Sonja Morgan.</a> She blamed it partially on a $7 million judgment entered against her over a failed movie project she was producing.
"Real Housewives of New York" dealt a great deal with the financial troubles of cast member Sonja Morgan. She blamed it partially on a $7 million judgment entered against her over a failed movie project she was producing.
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"Real Housewives of Atlanta" star Kim Zolciak was accused of being tardy with the money in March 2013 by fellow cast member Kandi Burruss and producer Don Vito. The pair accused her of denying them payment and rights to her single "Tardy for the Party." Zolciak <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.prlog.org%2F12101795-press-statement-for-kim-zolciak-biermann-star-of-the-real-housewives-of-atlanta-by-mike-paul.html" target="_blank" target="_blank">released a statement denying the claims.</a>
"Real Housewives of Atlanta" star Kim Zolciak was accused of being tardy with the money in March 2013 by fellow cast member Kandi Burruss and producer Don Vito. The pair accused her of denying them payment and rights to her single "Tardy for the Party." Zolciak released a statement denying the claims.
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Kelly Bensimon of the "Real Housewives of New York" was arrested in 2009 for <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.people.com%2Fpeople%2Farticle%2F0%2C%2C20264471%2C00.html" target="_blank" target="_blank">allegedly punching her then-boyfriend. </a>That same year, she <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nypost.com%2Fp%2Fpagesix%2Fitem_a0PCGjDYB6ztBeIdNcSJQI" target="_blank" target="_blank">was accused in a suit</a> of copying a jewelry design.
Kelly Bensimon of the "Real Housewives of New York" was arrested in 2009 for allegedly punching her then-boyfriend. That same year, she was accused in a suit of copying a jewelry design.
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"Real Housewives of Orange County" star Gretchen Rossi <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.eonline.com%2Fnews%2F363732%2Freal-housewives-of-orange-county-s-gretchen-rossi-awarded-over-500-000-in-lawsuit" target="_blank" target="_blank">was awarded more than $500,000 in damages</a> after an ongoing legal battle with a man who claimed to have had a secret relationship with her. When Jay Photoglou sued her for libel and slander, Rossi countered with accusations including stalking, battery and emotional distress.
"Real Housewives of Orange County" star Gretchen Rossi was awarded more than $500,000 in damages after an ongoing legal battle with a man who claimed to have had a secret relationship with her. When Jay Photoglou sued her for libel and slander, Rossi countered with accusations including stalking, battery and emotional distress.
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"Real Housewives of Atlanta" star Sheree Whitfield made headlines when her own divorce attorneys sued her for lack of payment. They were <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnewsone.com%2F2117437%2Fsheree-whitfield-loses-lawsuit-forced-to-pay-her-divorce-attorneys%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">eventually awarded a judgment. </a>
"Real Housewives of Atlanta" star Sheree Whitfield made headlines when her own divorce attorneys sued her for lack of payment. They were eventually awarded a judgment.
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Micah and Peggy Tanous of "Real Housewives of Orange County" beame part of a long line of cast members who have had financial woes. She <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.celebuzz.com%2F2013-06-06%2Fanother-real-housewife-goes-broke%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">was reportedly in dispute</a> with three banks over her mansion.
Micah and Peggy Tanous of "Real Housewives of Orange County" beame part of a long line of cast members who have had financial woes. She was reportedly in dispute with three banks over her mansion.
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A former employee of "Real Housewives of New York" cast member Cindy Barshop's<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nypost.com%2Fp%2Fnews%2Flocal%2Fmanhattan%2Faxing_for_waxing_P4JI9LoqPMkkNG2CttA0xM" target="_blank" target="_blank"> filed a discrimination charge</a> against her in 2011. The woman claimed she had been fired from Barshop's Completely Bare salon because of her race, but the suit was <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.realitytea.com%2F2011%2F12%2F27%2Fdiscrimination-lawsuit-against-rhonys-cindy-barshop-dismissed%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">eventually dismissed. </a>
A former employee of "Real Housewives of New York" cast member Cindy Barshop's filed a discrimination charge against her in 2011. The woman claimed she had been fired from Barshop's Completely Bare salon because of her race, but the suit was eventually dismissed.
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Fans of "Real Housewives of Orange County" watched as Lynne Curtin and her family were served an eviction notice in 2009. That same year, <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tmz.com%2F2009%2F12%2F22%2Fbench-warrant-out-for-real-housewife%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">TMZ reported </a>that a bench warrant had been issued for Curtin and her then-husband, Frank, for a $1.2 million judgment issued against them.
Fans of "Real Housewives of Orange County" watched as Lynne Curtin and her family were served an eviction notice in 2009. That same year, TMZ reported that a bench warrant had been issued for Curtin and her then-husband, Frank, for a $1.2 million judgment issued against them.
Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images
Who could ever forget Tareq and Michaele Salahi of the failed "Real Housewives of D.C."?<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fjezebel.com%2F5655184%2Fsalahi-101-a-guide-to-the-lawsuits--lies" target="_blank" target="_blank"> According to Jezebel,</a> the famed White House gate-crashers were named in more than 20 civil suits. The pair split in 2012 after <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2012%2F10%2F15%2Fshowbiz%2Fjourney-housewives-engagement%2Findex.html" target="_blank">Michaele reunited with her former love</a>, Journey guitarist Neal Schon.
Who could ever forget Tareq and Michaele Salahi of the failed "Real Housewives of D.C."? According to Jezebel, the famed White House gate-crashers were named in more than 20 civil suits. The pair split in 2012 after Michaele reunited with her former love, Journey guitarist Neal Schon.
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'Real Housewives' stars with legal issues

Story highlights

The reality-TV star left prison Wednesday, Bravo site says

Teresa Giudice was sentenced to 14 months for bankruptcy fraud

CNN  — 

Bravo welcomed home one of its stars on Wednesday.

The network’s website posted a report that “Real Housewives of New Jersey” star Teresa Giudice officially left the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury, Connecticut, at 5:01 a.m. Wednesday.

“She’s free,” the site quoted her attorney James Leonard Jr. as saying.

Giudice and her husband, Joe, both pleaded guilty in March 2014 to federal bankruptcy fraud charges.

The judge agreed to allow her to serve her 15-month sentence first and delayed having her husband report for his 41-month sentence to ensure the couple’s four daughters would have at least one parent present to care for them.

Joe Giudice, who is not a U.S. citizen, also faces possible deportation once he completes his sentence.

Teresa Giudice served 11½ months. Her attorney told The Record of northern New Jersey that she will be on home confinement until February 5. She’ll wear an electronic monitoring bracelet until then, according to Bravo.

“During that period, she will be able to work, she will be able to take care of business, medical (things),” Leonard told the paper. “She’ll be out and about. And then when that period ends, she will begin a (two-year) period of supervised release.”

According to Bravo, Giudice is expected to spend Christmas Eve at the Montville, New Jersey, home of her brother and reality co-star Joe Gorga. The network site said she is excited to be reunited with her four daughters.

Giudice is reportedly set to return to the reality show that made her famous.

A cookbook author, Giudice has also co-wrote “Turning the Tables: From Housewife to Inmate and Back Again” with People magazine staff writer K.C. Baker. It will be released on February 9.