
Teresa Giudice Abruptly Ends WGN Interview After Tax Inquiry
Teresa Giudice abruptly cut off a TV interview with Chicago’s WGN Morning News on Friday, June 20, after being questioned about her previous tax issues.
“Let’s just hang up,” Giudice, 53, declared, ending the conversation.
The Real Housewives of New Jersey star appeared unready to discuss her and ex-husband Joe Giudice pleading guilty to 41 counts of fraud in 2014. (Teresa served 11 months in prison, and Joe was deported to Italy in 2019 after completing a 41-month sentence.)
In March, Us Weekly uncovered court documents revealing that Teresa and her current husband, Luis “Louie” Ruelas, face around $3 million in tax liens. The IRS issues tax liens against properties when tax debts are unpaid, as outlined by the IRS.
WGN’s Larry Potash raised the subject of the Giudices’ legal challenges by questioning why a “family doesn’t pay their taxes for years,” seemingly referring to the initial infraction that led to the 2014 federal case.
“What family are you referring to?” a visibly taken aback Teresa responded.
When Potash, 49, specified that he was discussing the Giudices’ “fraud charges,” Teresa immediately ended the interview.
“Okay, I’m hanging up,” she stated. “Let’s just hang up. That’s it.”
After Teresa closed her laptop, Potash quipped that his guest clearly “didn’t appreciate that question.” He suggested that controversy is precisely what makes reality shows engaging, while noting that Teresa’s ex-husband Joe “can’t return” to the U.S. due to his tax case.
Teresa Giudice, Luis Ruelas, Milania and Gia Giudice in ‘RHONJ’ season 13. Courtesy Eugene Golgursky / ©Bravo / Courtesy Everett Collection
Teresa appeared on WGN Morning News to promote an upcoming live event at Zanies Comedy Night Club on June 29 in Rosemont, Illinois.
The interview began on a chilly note as WGN showcased a highlight reel of Teresa’s most intense RHONJ moments, featuring several confrontations with her sister-in-law, Melissa Gorga. After noting that the Bravo star had “experienced divorce [and] prison time,” Potash’s cohost Robin Baumgarten asked Teresa if she regretted any of her on-screen outbursts.
“Obviously! I’ve been on TV for 18 years,” Teresa replied.
She was only somewhat more open when queried about her potential return for Bravo’s revamped version of RHONJ following an extended production hiatus.
“I hope so, I’m the OG, yes,” she asserted. “We’ll see what unfolds! You’ll need to ask Bravo about that.”
It wasn’t long before Teresa decided to terminate the interview. Although she has remained tight-lipped about her and Louie’s tax issues, her daughter, Gia Giudice, recently assured fans that “everything is under control” on her “Casual Chaos” podcast.
“We’ve had many positive moments this week, along with some negative ones. I’m sure you’ve seen the news,” Gia, 24, informed listeners in March. “My mom has been the sole provider for my sisters and me since my father [Joe] went to prison. She’s worked incredibly hard to ensure that we live stable lives and that our family remains financially secure. I can’t emphasize enough how much my mom has worked. Everything will be sorted out.”
She continued, “My mom has it all managed, and there’s nothing to stress over. My stepdad, Luis, is a wonderful stepfather. He treats my sisters and me as if we’re his own. He is also working to resolve everything. But there’s nothing to worry about. Everything will be okay. Thank you for your concern.”
Attorney Margery Greenberg Esq — who is not involved in the case — exclusively informed Us in March that Teresa’s current legal dilemmas are significantly distinct from her and ex-husband Joe’s fraud case, noting, “it doesn’t appear that Teresa and Louie are facing charges.” However, Greenberg emphasized that the couple “seem to be dealing with considerable tax debt” and, consequently, the “government is pursuing [Luis] to collect their money.”
“[The liens are] comparable to having your current income and assets seized, impacting the children’s day-to-day life,” the attorney explained to Us. “If the youngest is still residing at home, the risk of that home facing foreclosure or government seizure is currently affecting the daily lifestyle of that child.”
Teresa’s RHONJ adversary, Margaret Josephs, shared with Us in April that she found her rival’s apparent legal challenges to be “very sad” and insisted she would “never wish ill on anyone.”
“I truly don’t desire anything harmful for Teresa,” she emphasized. “I never want her to face difficulties, which is why I’ve always spoken up.”