Teresa Giudice Blames ‘The Real Housewives of New Jersey’ Pilot for Her Fraud Conviction

On Dec. 23, 2015, Teresa Giudice was released from prison. The Real Housewives of New Jersey star spent 11 months behind bars after pleading guilty to bank, mail, wire, and bankruptcy fraud charges. Following her release, her then-husband, Joe Giudice, served out a much longer term for his part in the crimes. The convictions and prison stints clearly shaped Teresa Giudice’s life. In the nine years since she walked out of a Danbury, Connecticut correctional facility, Teresa blamed several people for her downfall. Most recently, she blamed Bravo producers for forcing her to throw around cash on the show’s pilot episode.

Teresa Giudice blames Bravo for her fraud conviction

Teresa Giudice hasn’t been behind bars in nearly nine years, but she’s still thinking about her arrest. The reality TV star is still hunting for answers about the federal investigation that locked her up and led to her divorce. In a recent podcast episode, Teresa even suggested Bravo producers tipped off the government by making her throw around cash with abandon.

During the most recent episode of her podcast, Turning the Tables, Teresa Giudice discussed her fraud conviction. Teresa asked her guest and former castmate, Jacqueline Laurita, if she remembered filming the pilot episode. She recalled Bravo executives asking her to use cash to pay for furniture while shopping with Laurita. Teresa wondered if Bravo was to blame for the fraud investigation because of the scene.

Bravo producers aren’t the first people Teresa Giudice has blamed for her prison stint

Yes, the Bravo scene all those years ago was pretty ostentatious. Still, it seems unlikely that prosecutors were tipped off to Teresa and Joe’s fraudulent money-handling practices because of it. While her Bravo allegations are far-fetched, the mother of four seems certain that someone tipped off the federal government. She is so certain that she isn’t opposed to tossing out baseless accusations.

Years ago, Teresa blamed Caroline Manzo for her arrest and conviction. During an appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen in 2019, Teresa pointed the finger at Caroline because her former cast mate predicted that Joe Giudice would end up behind bars and that Teresa would end her marriage because of it. Teresa wondered if Caroline was a “rat” because it seemed like an odd prediction.

Caroline Manzo isn’t the only person she’s blamed for her arrest. She’s also suggested her own brother, Joe Gorga, and his wife, Melissa Gorga, were involved in the federal investigation. During the season 13, The Real Housewives of New Jersey reunion special, Teresa said her brother and sister-in-law “hung out” with people who ratted her out to federal investigators. Melissa Gorga denied the allegation.