A fundraiser planned to help raise money toward Teresa and Joe Giudice's legal fees caused a stir this week and forced the "Real Housewives of New Jersey" star to clarify some things.
RadarOnline.com reported Thursday that Teresa "resorted to begging her fans to help pay her legal bills" with an event at Maliblue Oyster Bar in Lido Beach, N.Y. The event, which went down on the evening of Aug. 29, was apparently slated as a fundraiser organized by employees of the Long Island venue.
"A group of bartenders and staff from a legendary Long Island beach resort and catering facility are collecting donations to support the legal defense of ... Teresa Giudice," a press release for the event read. "They strongly believe Teresa will be vindicated soon and will be collecting funds to aid her defense. They are seeking donations from compassionate fans of the reality TV star, who has four young children."
The statement went on to add, "The group is dedicated to helping Teresa stay out of prison and also help pay any fines or other restitution that Teresa and Joe are ordered to pay."
InTouch and Reality Tea both posted about Thursday's event, and the reality star eventually took to Twitter to claim she had no idea about what was happening.
Dover Caterers, the catering company hosting the occasion, later apologized to Giudice for the media and press, RumorFix noted. Promoter Johnny Donovan also quashed the gossip, tweeting, “@Teresa_Giudice will be appearing tnite as a meet and greet to kick off Labor Day weekend press has false information on any other matter [all sic]."
InTouch later reported that fundraising efforts had been cancelled by the restaurant and those behind the event.
Teresa and Joe Giudice were indicted on 39 counts of bank and bankruptcy fraud back in July. If convicted, they face up to 50 years in prison each and millions of dollars in fines stemming from charges relating to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, bank fraud, making false statements on loan applications and bankruptcy fraud. They are due back in court in October.
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