Attorney Explains Why RHONJ Star Teresa Giudice Could Be Targeted by Feds Amid Her and Luis Ruelas’ $3 Million Tax Debt

An attorney suggested that Teresa Giudice could be a target for federal agents amid her reported tax debt with husband Luis Ruelas, due to her past history with financial fraud.

According to a recent report, the Real Housewives of New Jersey star and Luis are allegedly facing a combined total of $3,037,255.20 tax liens. The vast majority of the liens are purportedly for Luis, who works as the executive vice president of business development for a Florida-based business, which he cofounded. He also has other businesses.

As for Teresa, she earns income through her podcast Turning The Tables, the RHONJ, as well as social media, and her line of lipstick. Ten years ago, she went to prison for 15 months after pleading guilty to mortgage fraud.

Beverly Hills attorney Adam Michael Sacks spoke to The U.S. Sun about the case, suggesting in his opinion that Teresa could be targeted by the feds due to her legal history.

“The real connection is if you’re dealing with the IRS. She already committed fraud. They can say, ‘You already have a record of fraud,’” said the lawyer. “This may really stick with not just owing the money, but having a bigger problem.”

“You’re not supposed to evade taxes. The dumb person can get away with it, but the deliberate person who is deliberately not paying, that’s a criminal offense,” he added. “These are financial crimes; they can become a criminal case, but normally you would need to show bad actions, such as fraud.”

The attorney also shared how the feds use forensic accounting to uncover potential criminal activity, through things like odd cash transactions, bank transfers, etc. According to Adam, the RHONJ couple may have incurred tax debt since taxes often aren’t automatically deducted from paychecks when working as a contractor or for a network.

“It’s very common to spend all the money and not put anything aside,” he shared. “At the end of the year. You owe a lot of money, a third or more, and they don’t have it.” 

The Real Housewives of New Jersey is currently on hiatus, and likely won’t film again until 2026.