The Giudices could be facing some serious prison time after the ”Real Housewives of New Jersey” stars pleaded guilty to several mortgage and bankruptcy fraud charges on Tuesday, Us Weekly wrote. The couple reportedly remained calm during their court hearing as they admitted wrongdoing and they will be sentenced on July 8. Joe, who is an Italian citizen, could face deportation.

NBC New York said that Joe, 43, could go to prison for 37 to 46 months. Teresa might be put away for 21 to 27 months, which would leave their four daughters Gia, 13, Gabriella, 11, Milania, 9, and Audriana, 5, without parents for nearly two years.

"Today, I took responsibility for a series of mistakes I made several years ago," Teresa said in a statement to Us Weekly on Tuesday. "I have said throughout that I respect the legal process and thus I intend to address the court directly at sentencing. I will describe the choices I made, continue to take responsibility for my decisions, and express my remorse to Judge Salas and the public."

"I am heartbroken that this is affecting my family -- especially my four young daughters, who mean more to me than anything in the world," she continued. "Beyond this, I do not intend to speak specifically about the case outside of court, at the recommendation of my attorney and out of deference to the government and our legal system."

The “RHONJ” stars were accused of exaggerating income while applying to loans before their Bravo reality show debuted in 2009, then they reportedly hid their fortune in a bankruptcy filing after the first season of their show aired.

Though Teresa seems to be taking responsibility for her actions now, in September during an interview on Andy Cohen’s “Watch What Happens Live” she tearfully wondered why she and her husband were facing prosecution. “You go through things in life, I don’t know why, I mean I’m asking, ‘Why is this happening to me?’” she said.

Follow me on Twitter @mariamzzarella

RELATED STORIES