Teresa Giudice and her husband Joe Giudice sat down for a pre-taped one-on-one interview with Andy Cohen on "Watch What Happens Live," where they were questioned about the 39 federal fraud charges they face -- charges that may send them to jail for a very long time.
They held hands throughout the show and remained pretty stonefaced, with Teresa only getting emotional talking about their daughters (in the clip above).
Given their ongoing trial, the Giudices gave general or vague answers to several questions, and Joe even contradicted himself a few times. Still, there were a few interesting facts gleaned from their interview:
1. Teresa and Joe believe they're innocent, and they're sticking to that.
"We pleaded not guilty for a reason, because we're not guilty" Joe said.
When asked if she felt roped into something she didn't have anything to do with, Teresa responded, "obviously."
"We're good people," she added. "I don't understand why this is happening to us."
2. Teresa doesn't even know why they're in trouble.
Teresa not only doesn't understand why she's being charged, she doesn't even understand some of the charges, which include mail and wire fraud, bank fraud, and bankruptcy fraud
"Some of [the charges] I understand, some of them I don't," the "Real Housewives of New Jersey" star admitted. "I'm learning as we go."
She needs to brush up quick -- their trial is set for February.
3. Their kids' futures are uncertain, but they won't go to the Gorgas.
When asked who will take care of their four daughters if they were found guilty, Teresa didn't have an answer, but Joe did -- and it wasn't their castmates, Joe and Melissa Gorga (Teresa's brother and sister-in-law). Who would he give the girls to? Find out:
4. Joe's confusing citizenship status
When Andy asked him if was a citizen, Joe answered "yes." He then corrected himself and said, "I have a green card. I'm a legal resident."
The truth? Joe is not a U.S. citizen. He immigrated from Italy when he was a one-year-old, but never got his citizenship. Therefore, he'll be deported if found guilty, but he's "not worrying about it until that day comes."
5. Teresa and Joe believe they live within their means
Despite filing for bankruptcy in 2009 with nearly $11 million in debt, the Giudices don't think they live extravagantly.
When asked if they've ever lived beyond their means, Teresa flatly answered "no."
"We've never lived beyond. Whatever I could afford to buy, I would buy. We've worked hard," Joe added. "You can't be on the show and wear the same thing twice."
6. Joe has driven drunk several times.
While their federal charges are the most serious against them, Joe is also facing charges for fraudulently obtaining a driver's license when his was revoked after a DUI.
However, that DUI -- where he flipped his car -- wasn't the first time he's driven drunk.
"The times I've should've been charged [with DUI] I wasn't, the one time I really wasn't drunk, I got charged."
Comforting thought.
Do you believe Teresa and Joe are innocent or guilty? Tell toofab in the comments below!
