'Real Housewives' Husband Joe Giudice Heads To Prison, Faces Deportation

MONTVILLE, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Joe Giudice, husband of "Real Housewives" star Teresa Giudice, reported to Fort Dix Federal Prison Wednesday to start his 41-month sentence for bankruptcy fraud.

This morning, Joe Giudice hugged his wife goodbye in the driveway of their Montville home, CBS2's Jill Nicolini reported.

The couple pleaded guilty to fraud charges in March 2014. The couple admitted to hiding assets from bankruptcy creditors and submitting phony applications to get some $5 million in mortgages and construction loans.

More: Joe Giudice Opens Up To 'Entertainment Tonight' Before Prison Sentence

Joe Giudice also pleaded guilty to failing to file a tax return in 2004. He also acknowledged he didn't file taxes on around $1 million in income between 2004 and 2008.

Teresa Giudice served 11 months of her 15-month sentence through 2015 at Danbury Correctional Facility in Connecticut. The judge agreed to have her serve before her husband so one parent could be home to take care of their four daughters. She was released early on good behavior in late December and returned to the family's home in Montville.

Now it's Joe Giudice's turn to serve his time, but because he was born in Italy and is reportedly living in the U.S. illegally, he may face deportation.

"The chances of this man seeing the light of day and not be placed in removal proceedings are very slim. He will face an immigration court he will then have an opportunity to put his best case forward," immigration attorney Michael Wildes told CBS2.

Giudice is also serving extra time for another charge he pleaded guilty to after using his brother's identity to get a driver's license because he was suspended for driving under the influence.

"There seems to be a pattern and practice of this gentleman committing crime after crime. Who knows if it's because he's lived under the radar all these years or because the celebrity status gave a sense of entitlement that needs to be curtailed," Wildes said.

The Giudices were ordered to pay over $400,000 in restitution.

With time off for good behavior, he may only serve 35 months of his 42-month prison sentence.

Teresa Giudice told Entertainment Tonight that she will make the hour and a half trip to see her husband once a week but that conjugal visits are not permitted in New Jersey federal prisons.