Despite a court report stipulating that federal prosecutors were lawfully allowed to seize Teresa Giudice‘s assets to satisfy her restitution debts, Teresa’s out-spoken attorney James L. Leonard Jr. denies that’s that the case!
Teresa owes more than $400,000 in federal restitution as part of her sentence for bankruptcy fraud and conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud. A court order showed that prosecutors made a deal with the Real Housewives Of New Jersey star to turn over a 25% portion of her Bravo paychecks, along with 50% of her income from a rental property she owns, in addition to seizing her personal assets, such as her 2005 Maserati and furniture from her NJ mansion (currently in foreclosure and on the market.)
Mr. Leonard explains that contrary to reports, that deal was arranged by Judge Esther Salas and prosecutors as a ‘just in case’ Teresa didn’t make scheduled payments – which she has been.
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Mr. Leonard also states that the order was actually signed in December, but was only filed this month. “We reached agreements that same day in December on how the restitution would be paid back,” he clarifies. “She [Teresa] has made payments in accordance with that agreement.” Teresa paid $200,000 of her restitution before surrendering to prison.
Since Teresa is current with the government on her payments – the first tim in her life she’s ever repaid a creditor – her attorney is adamant that “nothing has been seized from her” and he promises, “nothing will be.” Well, I am sorry to disappoint those of you hoping to attend a very marble-encrusted yardsale to buy some leopard print tupperware!
Giving more credence to those rumors that Teresa will be back on Bravo, People confirms the network is ironing out deals with both Teresa and Joe Giudice! I guess the price was right.
“Bravo is in talks with Joe Giudice to film him taking care of their four daughters while she serves her prison sentence,” a source reveals. “Bravo has also made overtures about Teresa returning to Real Housewives of New Jersey.”
Teresa’s attorney previously stated she is negotiating a contract with the network for a return to RHONJ post-prison, and that season 7 is largely on-hold until Teresa is released. Teresa is due to be released to home arrest just before Christmas.
I’ve heard some filming is very quietly happening as they test potential new Housewives, and also chronicle how Melissa and Joe are coping while Teresa is in prison. That, of course, will be rolled into the [inevitable] Teresa spinoff.
TELL US – ARE YOU SHOCKED TO LEARN TERESA IS CURRENT ON HER RESTITUTION PAYMENTS?
[Photo Credit: TNYF/WENN.com]
