Former 'Housewives' star Joe Giudice released from prison; 'hopeful' he won't be deported
He was sentenced to 41 months for bankruptcy fraud.
Former "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" star Joe Giudice is out of prison and awaiting word on whether he will be deported to his native Italy.
"Mr. Giudice has finished serving his federal prison sentence and was transferred early this morning from the Bureau of Prisons to a facility in western Pennsylvania which houses immigration detainees," Giudice’s attorney, James Leonard, wrote in a statement to ABC News. "His lawyers and his family are hopeful that justice will prevail and Mr. Guidice will return home to his wife and four daughters who love him and miss him.”
Giudice pleaded guilty in 2014 to bankruptcy fraud and failing to pay taxes on $200,000 worth of income, and was sentenced to 41 months. His wife, Teresa, also served nearly a year in prison after pleading guilty to submitting false loan applications when she applied for a $5 million mortgage.
This past October, a judge ordered him to be deported to Italy after serving his time. His appeal is now pending.
While Teresa and her daughters have spoke out in support of Joe returning to the family, much has been said about if Joe and Teresa will stay together if he's forced to leave the country.
Teresa did in fact say on the "Housewives" reunion show earlier this month that she will not deal with a "long distance relationship" and that she will have to part ways with Joe if he is deported.
Teresa also spoke to "Good Morning America" about her family's initial reaction just weeks after the court's decision.
"I never thought I'd be in this position," Giudice said. "I have to stay strong. I have four beautiful daughters and they need their mommy."
But she called the ordeal "heartbreaking" and "very sad."
"The girls are really upset. You know, it's hard for them," Teresa told "GMA."