RHONJ Star Teresa Giudice’s Husband Joe Reportedly Undergoing Deportation Proceedings While In Prison
Giuseppe "Joe" Giudice's legal troubles might get a lot worse. The reality star is facing deportation proceedings while serving his prison sentence.
It's One Thing After Another
The Real Housewives of New Jersey star is currently in jail on a 41-month sentence. However, ICE confirmed that a detainer has been lodged, meaning removal proceedings are in process to send Giudice back to his native Italy.
The 46-year-old reality star has already served a couple years of his sentence, which was handed down back in 2014. Giudice was charged with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, bankruptcy fraud, and failure to file his tax returns.
Although his release is scheduled for March of next year, he could be extradited from the United States in the meantime. Giudice's lawyer denied that his client is set to be deported, however.
"I can state with absolute certainty that no decision has been made regarding the immigration status of Joe Giudice. The same immigration detainer that was lodged against him in March of 2016 remains in place today, but ... no judicial authority has made any decision regarding what will happen with that detainer," he said in a statement.
Giudice's lawyer also confirmed that his client has counsel dedicated to working on his behalf in this regard. He's also confident the reality star will return home to be with his family in New Jersey once his sentence is up.
Standing By Her Man
His wife, Teresa Guidice, found fame via the popular Bravo TV series, which launched Joe into the spotlight alongside her. He was transferred back in November to a prison in Pennsylvania after being housed originally in a New Jersey institution.
The move came as a result of Guidice's request to be placed in a residential drug and alcohol abuse program, something that was denied at first because of the ICE detainer against him.
Teresa herself served 11 months of a 15-month prison sentence in his crimes. The judge staggered their sentences so one parent could be at home with their kids.
His reality star wife has been realistic about a possible deportation for years, even claiming in one particular episode of RHONJ that she would follow Joe back to Italy if necessary.
"I mean, Italy's a beautiful place to live. I wouldn't mind, you know, I'm just saying," she said at the time.
Her husband was born in Italy but moved to the United States as a child. Although he's a permanent resident, he's not a citizen. An ICE spokesperson previously confirmed to the press that the father of four was in the middle of removal proceedings.
