Are the Giudices Really Guilty?

The trial of the century, or at least the trial of the Real Housewives-dom — Joe and Teresa Giudice's sentencing — is set to take place on Sept. 23. The couple, as you may have heard, is being charged with around 40 counts of fraud. According to reports, Joe could be looking at a sentence just shy of four years, while Teresa could potentially go to prison for a little over two years. Joe claims Teresa was kept in the dark about much of the shadiness that was going on under their roof, but both reality stars plead guilty in March after initially denying the accusations (Joe plead guilty to five counts, while Teresa copped to four). That said, are the Giudices really guilty?

In short, it kind of looks that way (bear in mind, I'm no lawyer). In addition to admitting guilt (which doesn't necessarily mean they're guilty, but instead could mean they're looking for a lighter sentence), Teresa came out and made a statement on her legal issues, and it almost seemed as if she was apologizing to her kids directly. "Today, I took responsibility for a series of mistakes I made several years ago," the statement reads. "I am heartbroken that this is affecting my family — especially my four young daughters, who mean more to me than anything in the world."

Also, after initially asking for separate trials in hopes that she would get off, the RHONJ star decided to be tried with her husband out of "respect for the legal process." Her statement also says, "I intend to address the court directly at sentencing. I will describe the choices I made, continue to take responsibility for my decision and express my remorse to Judge Salas and the public." When you start talking about "describing the choices you made," kind of makes it sound like you're guilty, no?

There have been recent reports, though, that claim Teresa is all but sure that she'll get off scot-free, so this whole remorse/taking responsibility thing, of course, could just be an act — which would be awful if the accusations are in fact true. "Teresa continues to live in a dream world," an insider told Radar Online. "[She] tells anyone who will listen that she doesn’t even think Joe will go to prison."

Hmm... somehow I can't see that happening, but I suppose anything is possible. I feel a little gross admitting this, but I can't wait to hear what the judge has to say.

Images: Teresa Giudice/Instagram; Getty Images