RHONJ’s Margaret Josephs Breaks Silence on Teresa Giudice and Luis Ruelas’ Financial Woes!
Margaret Josephs is weighing in on the mounting tax drama surrounding her Real Housewives of New Jersey castmate Teresa Giudice and her husband Luis Ruelas — and while she says she feels sad, she also admits there’s a sense of vindication.
Speaking to Us Weekly, Margaret addressed the recent reports that Teresa and Luis were hit with over $3 million in tax liens, stemming from unpaid federal and state taxes. “It’s very sad. I never wish ill on anybody,” Margaret shared. “I don’t want anything bad for Teresa ever. And I never want anything bad to happen to her, and that’s why I always spoke up.”
Court documents show that Luis allegedly owes nearly $2.6 million while Teresa owes over $300,000. A separate lien for $163,000 was also issued to Luis in late 2024 and remains unresolved, according to the New Jersey Courts database.
For Margaret, who previously questioned Luis‘ intentions and financial behavior on the show, the situation feels like confirmation of her concerns. “I feel vindicated. The fact is, everybody always said that ‘Marge wants to do something mean, wants to hurt somebody.’ No, Marge is actually protective and wants to say the truth and can sniff out something that’s not great,” she explained.
“I think I’m brutally honest, and I think people have a hard time receiving those things.”
Though she emphasized that she never wants to see harm come to anyone, Margaret added, “No one wants to deliver unsavory news or hear the hard truth. I never want to hurt somebody purposely. I don’t want bad things to happen to anyone. And when they do, I feel sad.”
The couple’s finances have become a hot topic ever since Teresa confronted Luis on Real Housewives of New Jersey about his spending in a scene that ultimately never aired. Still, their troubles have become public, including a recent request Luis made to extend the maturity date on a $1 million loan tied to their $3.35 million home. He also took out an additional $250,000 loan around the same time.
Experts who spoke to PEOPLE say tax liens of this magnitude could complicate the couple’s financial future. According to Mitchell Newmark, a former Deputy Attorney General of New Jersey and tax law specialist, a lien becomes active when a tax debt is confirmed and unpaid, leaving the state entitled to recover the funds — even through property seizure.
“What they really want is the money,” Mitchell explained. “That’s what it’s all about.”
If the liens go unresolved, the state could take further legal action. Attorney Alan Feigenbaum added that without a prenuptial agreement, there’s little clarity on whether the debt is jointly or individually held. “Had there been a prenup, you could have defined what it is that constitutes marital debt or a marital liability versus a separate debt,” he said.
While Teresa’s previous prison sentence for fraud is unrelated to the current liens, the situation has raised concerns among fans. Tax law experts caution that if the couple is found to have hidden assets or misled collectors, criminal consequences could follow.
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Olivia Davis is a Staff Writer at All About The Tea. Olivia’s hobbies include binging Netflix series, and watching Housewives on Bravo. She graduated from San Francisco State University with a degree in History.