Teresa and Joe Giudice of the "Real Housewives of New Jersey" have been charged with conspiracy to commit bank, mail and wire fraud, making false statements on loan applications and bankruptcy fraud. They aren't the only stars of the popular Bravo franchise to have legal troubles.
NeNe Leakes recently remarried her ex-husband Gregg Leakes, and the "Real Housewives of Atlanta" stars are being accused by their wedding planner of not paying a balance of more than $1 million. Leakes denied the accusation on her Twitter account.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, "Real Housewives of New York" star Bethenny Frankel settled a $100 million lawsuit in 2012 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.
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 has also been accused of owing state taxes.
"Today" called it the "battle of the bulge" when Heather Thomson was sued in March 2013 by Spanx over her brand of Yummie Tummie shapewear.
"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.
"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.
"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.
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.
"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.
She is no longer on "Real Housewives of Atlanta," but Sheree Whitfield made headlines when her own divorce attorneys sued her for lack of payment. They were eventually awarded a judgment.
Micah and Peggy Tanous of "Real Housewives of Orange County" appear to be just the latest in a long line of cast members who have had financial woes. She was reportedly in dispute with three banks over her mansion.
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.
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.
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 have been named in more than 20 civil suits. The pair split in 2012 after Michaele reunited with her former love Journey guitarist Neal Schon.
- Teresa and Joe Giudice could spend decades in prison if convicted
- The reality TV couple allegedly lied to get more than $5 million in loans over 8 years
- The Giudices were initially charged by federal prosecutors in July
- They both entered "not guilty" pleas in August to the original 39 counts
(CNN) -- "Real Housewives of New Jersey" stars Teresa and Joe Giudice face new bank fraud charges.
The reality TV couple could spend decades in prison if convicted on the 41 counts alleged in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in New Jersey.
The Giudices allegedly faked documents and lied on applications to get more than $5 million in loans over eight years before they joined the "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" cast in 2009.
They both entered "not guilty" pleas in August to the original 39 counts, including conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, bank fraud, making false statements on loan applications, and bankruptcy fraud.
The husband and wife are due in court in Newark for the added charges on Wednesday, according to U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman. The new counts stem from a $361,250 mortgage loan that Teresa Giudice, 41, got in 2005, Fishman said.
"In the course of obtaining the loan, she and Giuseppe Giudice prepared a loan application which falsely stated that Teresa Giudice was employed as a realtor and that she had a monthly salary of $15,000," Fishman said. "Teresa Giudice was not employed outside the home at the time."
Giudice lawyer Miles Feinstein told reporters in August that the couple would not be testifying against each other in the case, which he said they expect to win.
Teresa Giudice, in a written statement released after she was charged in July, said she would stand by her man.
"Today is a most difficult day for our family," she said. "I support Joe and, as a wonderful husband and father, I know he wants only the best for our lovely daughters and me. I am committed to my family and intend to maintain our lives in the best way possible, which includes continuing my career. As a result, I am hopeful that we will resolve this matter with the government as quickly as possible."
The indictment accuses the Giudices of exaggerating their income by faking her employment history while applying for loans. They allegedly failed to disclose rental and business income after filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 2009.
The indictment also charges Joe Giudice with failure to file tax returns for tax years 2004 through 2008, during which time he allegedly earned nearly $1 million.
The Giudices are free on $500,000 bond each, but they had to surrender their passports.
If convicted, the couple faces up to 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine.
