Teresa Giudice and her husband, Joe, have seen their fair share of drama on the reality show “The Real Housewives Of New Jersey”, but the couple have been waging a battle against some more serious issues in the past year.

The couple are charged with 41 counts of fraud stemming from falsified bank loans and bankruptcy claims from 2001 to 2011; Joe is also accused of failing to file tax returns for four consecutive years. They both entered a not guilty plea and have asked to be tried separately in order to testify on one another’s behalf.

“Today is a most difficult day for our family. I support Joe, and as a wonderful husband and father I know he wants only the best for our lovely daughters and me,” Teresa said in a statement last July when they were taken into custody. “I am committed to my family and intend to maintain our lives in the best way possible, which includes continuing my career. As a result, I am hopeful that we will resolve this matter with the Government as quickly as possible.”

As she awaits her day in court, Giudice says she definitely feels the weight of the charges bearing down on her family, but has tried to keep her children out of it.

“I can’t just be upset and crawl up in a ball and just go in a room and – and lock the door. I can’t. I’m a mom. I have four daughters…my oldest does know something’s going on. But – you know, we say, you know, ‘Mommy and daddy, you know, have a legal team that’s handling it,'” she said.

The Giudices each face up to 30 years in prison if found guilty; Joe also faces deportation, as he was born in Italy and is not a citizen of the U.S. Teresa says that through the ordeal, she and her husband have remained as close as ever.

“No rumor is ever going to come between us,” she said. “And, you know, if anything, through all this it’s made us stronger. I’m grateful for that.”

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