In 2013, Teresa and her ex-husband Joe Giudice were indicted on federal fraud charges after they were accused of bankruptcy fraud
Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Teresa Giudice© Provided by People
Teresa Giudice is claiming a Real Housewives of New Jersey scene orchestrated by producers may have led to her eventual indictment.
On the Wednesday, June 19 episode of the Turning The Tables with Teresa Giudice podcast, the reality star, 52, reminisced about the early days of the show with her former costars Jacqueline Laurita and Kim DePaola.
Eventually, the trio came around to discussing a scene that’s gone down in RHONJ history — when Teresa paid $120K worth of furniture in cash during season 1 — and revealed that the scene was actually set up by producers. When the episode aired, the display of wealth not only caught viewers by surprise but also the United States government, Teresa claimed.
(L) Joe Giudice and Teresa Giudice in season 1 of ‘The Real Housewives of New Jersey’© Provided by People
“I even think that’s why the government came after us,” Teresa alleged, referencing her ex-husband, Joe Giudice’s bankruptcy fraud. After producers noted it would be “cool” if they paid in cash, Teresa and Jaqueline told them they would come up short.
“I had 200 on me. Jacqueline had 300 on her,” Teresa said before Jaqueline added, “And then somebody gave you a bunch of whatever mixed in, so it looked like a lot.”
The mom of four continued: “When I went to that furniture store, I think it was season one, right? They showed how much my furniture was, like 140K [or] whatever it was. And then I’m here, I am giving out $100 bills, like I was counting out $100 bills. And then they showed the calculator. It looked like I had all that money cash on me.”
Bravo did not immediately return PEOPLE’s request for comment.
Jacqueline elaborated on the how producers work to create a storyline out of their real lives.
(L) Teresa Giudice and Joe Giudice© Provided by People
“What people don’t realize, the show’s not scripted, but it is produced,” she explained. “There are producers. They move the show along and they make certain things happen [that are] being talked about and moving things along.”
“Things that are being talked about outside the show, if it’s public, they talk about it in the show. Like, it’s a produced show, but it’s not scripted. It is your life, but it’s also produced,” she added.
On July 29, 2013, Teresa and Joe were indicted on federal fraud charges after they were accused of exaggerating their income while applying for loans before the Real Housewives debuted, then hiding their improved fortunes in their bankruptcy filing.
Teresa served 11 months out of her initial 15 month sentenced in jail while Joe served 41 months but was released 3 years later. The former couple filed for divorce in 2019 and finalized their separation in 2020 after 20 years of marriage. Joe now lives in the Bahamas, as the Italian native was deported from America following his fraud sentence. They share four daughters: Audriana, Milania, Gabriella, and Gia.