Teresa Giudice Is Released From Prison After 11 Months
The former "Real Housewives" star reported to Danbury federal prison Jan. 5.
— -- Teresa Giudice is a free woman.
The reality-TV star was released from the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury, Connecticut, at 5:01 a.m. today and headed home to Montville, New Jersey, a statement from her lawyer confirmed to ABC News.
She was seen arriving home in a black SUV, driven by her lawyer.
A Lexus wrapped in a red bow was waiting on the driveway.
Giudice's attorney, James Leonard, had previously told ABC News that rather than go to a halfway house, as was originally expected, the "Real Housewives of New Jersey" star will return home to her husband, Joe, and their four daughters.
Giudice, 43, pleaded guilty last year to tax fraud and was sentenced to 15 months behind bars. She reported to prison Jan. 5 and is being released early for good behavior, Leonard told ABC News, adding that she did not receive preferential treatment.
"She's looking forward to coming home," he said a few days ago. "She's going to get to spend Christmas with her family and get back to her life."
But her time with her husband will be short-lived. Joe Giudice, who also pleaded guilty to tax fraud, is scheduled to begin his 41-month prison sentence in March.
