CHICAGO — Reality TV star Teresa Giudice, best known for The Real Housewives of New Jersey, abruptly cut short a video chat with WGN Morning News on June 20 when asked about longstanding financial issues tied to her family — including tax liens and prior fraud convictions.
During the friendly-starting segment, WGN anchor Larry Potash shifted to sensitive territory, asking: “How is it that a family doesn’t pay their taxes for years? Isn’t that what the fraud charges were?” Giudice appeared taken aback, asked “What family?” and then said, “OK, I’m hanging up,” before ending the call.
Potash acknowledged on-air: “She didn’t like that question.”
Prompted by Fraud and Tax Liens
This moment comes amid renewed attention on Giudice’s financial past. In 2014, she served 11 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to mail, wire, and bankruptcy fraud alongside her then-husband, Joe Giudice.
More recently, March 2025 public records revealed substantial tax liens against the couple — approximately $303,000 in Teresa’s name and about $2.6 million for her current husband, Luis “Louie” Ruelas.
Family Defends Her Efforts
Giudice’s daughter, Gia, defended her mother during a March episode of her Casual Chaos podcast, noting Teresa has been the sole financial provider since Joe’s prison sentence. “Everything will be resolved… my mom has everything under control,” Gia insisted.
What’s Next for Teresa
The interview was meant to promote her upcoming appearance at Zanies comedy club on June 29 ahead of her Party with a Housewife event. The abrupt end, however, has reignited public fascination with her legal past.
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