Real Housewives of New Jersey star Teresa Giudice and her husband Joe Giudice were charged with over 40 counts of fraud last year and the two are set to go to trial this April. The two were charged together but Joe Giudice recently requested a separate trial from his wife Teresa. Joe argued that Teresa had no knowledge of anything that was happening.
North Jersey reports:
“The couple’s lawyers had argued that Joe Giudice wants to be able to exonerate his wife through his testimony, but wouldn’t be able to do so if he decides not to take the stand at their joint trial, and that Teresa’s testimony to clear her name could conflict with her marital privilege not to testify against her husband.
But prosecutors write in their objection, “Such difficulty does not infringe upon a fundamental right, and it manifestly does not require the Court to hold two separate trials on identical offenses for the sake of preserving marital harmony.”
They also respond to assertions in Joe Giudice’s motion, filed earlier this month, that he will testify that his wife had no idea that some of the properties and businesses that may be at the heart of the indictment were being purchased in her name. While there is evidence that in some cases Joe Giudice or someone else signed Teresa’s name at closing, prosecutors say, “it is also true that the Giudices obtained many other fraudulent mortgage loans with Teresa’s direct participation.”
The prosecutors also cite Joe Giudice’s history of false testimony, notably in a bankruptcy matter involving a former business partner, as another reason to deny the separation of the trials. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Morris Stern is quoted, calling Joe Giudice “unbounded as a prevaricator” with a “say-anything, do-anything” attitude on the stand. Finally, prosecutors say the two should be tried together for “judicial economy.”
Do you think Joe and Teresa should have a separate trial? Are you shocked that presecutors are strongly objecting?
