Teresa and Joe Giudice,The Real Housewives Of New Jersey stars, pleaded not guilty to all of their federal fraud charges on Wednesday.

Joe, 43, and Teresa, 41, were indicted on 39 charges on July 29, including federal bank and bankruptcy charges. Some of the crimes the couple are accused of comimitting include — conspiracy to commit mail and bank fraud, making false statements on loan applications and bankruptcy fraud. If the two are found guilty on all charges, they could each face up to 50 years in jail. Joe, who is not an American citizen, could be deported.

Despite the mounting legal troubles, Joe's lawyer, Miles Feinstein, believes that they will be proven innocent. “We're confident they'll be vindicated," Feinstein said. He also said that any suggestion that Joe might testify against his wife is “ludicrous.”

Teresa's attorney, Henry Klingeman, also appears confident in the trial proceedings. "She’s concerned, but she’s taking care of business, taking care of her children, getting ready for school,” he said. “I’m confident we’ll have a really strong defense. I’m confident in her.”

Though neither Teresa nor Joe spoke inside the courtroom or to reporters outside — the couple gave their 'not guilty' statements through their lawyers – they did not lay low. Following their day in court, Teresa went to a book-signing for her newest cookbook, Fabulicious: On The Grill. She reportedly smiled through the event and even opened a celebratory bottle of sparkling wine.

Joe and Teresa are scheduled to return to court on Oct. 3, and go to trial on Oct. 8. It is not clear how the trial will affect the fifth season of The Real Housewives Of New Jersey.

Leave a comment

Read more about: